Australia reach World Cup final after Fiji scare

Published5 minutes ago

Australia (8) 30

Tries: Church 4, Upton, Chapman Goals: Kelleher 3

Fiji (8) 14

Tries: Yaranamua, Paseka Goals: Yaranamua 3

Australia have reached their fifth successive Women's Rugby League World Cup final as they seek a fourth consecutive title - but they were made to work harder than anyone expected.

They had breezed through the group stages and there looked to be little to stop the procession.

But World Cup debutants Fiji had other ideas. For 40 minutes, one of the biggest surprises in the history of rugby league looked eminently possible.

Order was eventually restored, thanks largely to four tries from Abbi Church, which set Australia on their way to a 30-14 victory.

They will face old rivals New Zealand in the final next Sunday in Brisbane, kicking off at 05:10 GMT.

But having given New Zealand a scare in their opening match before losing 18-12, Fiji came out at Sydney Football Stadium fully intent to unsettle and confront the red-hot tournament favourites.

In doing so, they became the first side since New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup final to open the scoring in a game against Australia, who trailed for the first time at this tournament.

The tournament debutants put pressure on the Australia line from the start. Soon the entire Aussie team caught the bug with simple drops and brainless errors, and after 12 minutes Simaima Taufa conceded a penalty under the posts.

Fiji opted to kick for two points. Four minutes later, they went all the way.

Captain Sereana Naitokatoka stole the ball from Jaime Chapman 10 metres from the Australia line, and they drove through the defence for half-back Luisa Yaranamua to score. She also converted to give Fiji an astonishing 8-0 lead.

At last Australia sparked into life, and two tries in the final 10 minutes of the opening half brought them level.

Church drove over in the right corner, before Tamika Upton slipped through the defence as Australia returned pressure following a Fiji drop-out.

But Jocelyn Kelleher missed twice from the tee to allow Fiji in at half-time level. Had Upton not brilliantly tipped a Fiji grubber behind, Australia would have trailed.

Whatever coach Jess Skinner said in the changing room woke Australia up, and they took control.

Church completed her treble - the third a brilliant catch from a booming Tarryn Aiken kick to the corner and before grounding the ball at full tilt - either side of Chapman diving over.

Normal service resumed. But at last, the Jillaroos have been proved fallible - with a late Maria Paseka try providing a deserved flourish for fearless Fiji.

Church, though, had the last word for Australia - collecting Losana Lutu's kick around 30 metres from her own line before racing clear to score.

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