Defending champions Australia have booked their fifth consecutive Women’s Rugby League World Cup final against New Zealand, securing a 30-14 victory over Fiji in Sydney. The Jillaroos overcame a stunning 8-0 deficit in the opening minutes, a shock lead courtesy of Luisa Yaranamua’s try and conversion following a penalty kick. Despite trailing for the first time in the tournament, Australia regrouped to level the score at 8-8 by halftime before unleashing a dominant second-half performance that left the Fijian defense reeling.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
The turning point came through the sheer volume of Abbi Church’s offensive output, as the star forward crossed for four tries in the 25th, 40th, 51st, and 67th minutes. Church’s relentless pressure was supported by crucial scores from Upton (29th) and Chapman (44th), with Kelleher adding three conversions to pad the lead. While Yaranamua added a second try for Fiji in the 62nd minute, it was too little, too late to prevent the home side from controlling the game’s tempo and securing the win.
This victory extends Australia’s remarkable run in the tournament, having defeated New Zealand in the last three finals after their 34-0 defeat by the Kiwi Ferns in 2008. The Jillaroos now prepare for a repeat of the historic rivalry in the Women’s World Cup final, a match that has become a fixture of the sport’s calendar. With momentum firmly on their side and Church in peak form, Australia enters the decider as the clear favorites to retain their crown.
Source: Sky Sports
