The Jillaroos are into the Rugby League World Cup final after beating Fiji 30-14 in a tense women’s semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, with Parramatta winger Abbi Church scoring four tries.
Fiji, playing in their first World Cup semi-final, stunned the defending champions early. Luisa Yaranamua kicked a penalty and then dummyed over from dummy-half, converting her own try to give the Bulikula an 8-0 lead. It was the first time since the 2013 World Cup final that the Jillaroos had not scored the opening points of an international, ABC Sport reported.
Church got Australia on the board from a right-side shift involving Tarryn Aiken and Tamika Upton, then Upton crossed herself after another Aiken pass to lock the score at 8-8 at half-time. Jocelyn Kelleher missed both conversion attempts as the wind swirled around the ground.
Church takes over after the break
The Jillaroos hit the front when Church scored her second try early in the second half, stepping inside several defenders after a Jessica Sergis tap-on, and Kelleher converted for a 14-8 lead. Jaime Chapman, who had needed treatment after an early knock, then dived over down a short left side. Kelleher’s conversion made it 20-8.
Read more: Jillaroos Thrash Samoa 40-0 as Kelleher Stars on Test Debut
Church completed a hat-trick by latching onto an Aiken cross-field kick, though Kelleher missed the extras to leave Australia 24-8 ahead. Fiji refused to fold: Maria Paseka scored in the right corner after a short-side raid and Yaranamua converted from out wide to make it 24-14 with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Church then broke clear for her fourth try and Kelleher converted to seal a 30-14 win, confirmed by the official NRL match centre.
Chapman left the field after her try. ABC Sport reported she had been struggling with her left knee following an early twisting tackle.
What’s next
The Jillaroos will face New Zealand in the final after the Kiwi Ferns beat Samoa on Saturday night. The Kangaroos meet Samoa in the men’s semi-final at Allianz Stadium later on Sunday night.
Read more: Kangaroos Team: Walsh Keeps No.1, Mitchell Recalled for Samoa Semi
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