Abbi Church scored four tries to power Australia to a 30-14 victory over Fiji on Saturday, securing a place in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final. The Jillaroos survived a scare at Allianz Stadium and will face New Zealand in the tournament decider at Lang Park next week.
Fiji delivered a passionate pre-match hymn and shed tears during their anthem before launching a strong resistance. Driven by playmaker Luisa Yaranamua, the Bulikula led for much of the first half and were level with the Jillaroos at half-time. Yaranamua, 23 and yet to play an NRLW match, proved a threat alongside teammates Losana Lutu, Cassie Staples and Sereana Naitokatoka.
Fiji made an aggressive start when Yaranamua rattled Tiana Penitani Gray with an early shoulder tackle off the ball. A Yaranamua kick forced Church into an error within the first three minutes. From the subsequent set, Talei Holmes appeared certain to score before being held up by Jillaroos centre Jess Sergis.
Fiji’s early dominance was rewarded when Yaranamua kicked a penalty goal after an illegal strip. Naitokatoka then stripped the ball from Jaime Chapman, giving her side possession on the Australian line. Yaranamua feigned a delay at dummy half to split the markers and overpowered Jocelyn Kelleher one-on-one to score.
The score reached 8-0 after twenty minutes, the first time Australia had not scored first in a World Cup match since the 2013 final. Prop Lorren Ieli delivered a crushing tackle on substitute Keilee Joseph and backed it up with a strong run as the Bulikula dominated the ruck.
Church ended the resistance by crossing in the corner following a simple spread right. Tamika Upton then slid through to level the scores at half-time.
The Fijians could not maintain their intensity after the break as the Australians cleaned up their possession and Aiken took control. Maria Paseka scored a late try for Fiji, created by a Yaranamua blindside raid, providing a consolation for the tournament upstarts.
The defeat ends Fiji’s first women’s World Cup campaign. Australia will advance to face New Zealand in the fifth consecutive final between the two nations next weekend.
