Australia secured their place in the fifth consecutive Women’s Rugby League World Cup final, but the path to the title decider was far more turbulent than anticipated. After dominating the group stages with ease, the defending champions faced a genuine threat from World Cup debutants Fiji, who kept the match competitive for 40 minutes. The unexpected resistance signaled a potential historic upset, forcing Australia to elevate their performance to maintain control of the contest.
Abbi Church’s historic hat-trick silences debutant Fiji to secure fifth straight final berth.
The tide turned decisively thanks to the extraordinary output of Abbi Church, who scored four tries in the 30-14 victory. This performance included a hat-trick, bringing her tournament total to seven tries across just four matches in the 2026 World Cup. Church’s explosive pace and precision dismantled Fiji’s defensive structure, effectively ending the surprise run and restoring order to the match as Australia pulled away in the second half.
With the semi-final concluded, Australia now prepares to face old rivals New Zealand in the final next Sunday in Brisbane. The match kicks off at 05:10 GMT, setting the stage for a clash between the two dominant forces in women’s rugby league. Australia enters the decider seeking a fourth consecutive title, aiming to cement their legacy as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history.
Source: BBC Sport
