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NZL vs AUS
Women's Pacific Championships
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
New Zealand Kiwi Ferns
vs
Australian Jillaroos
0
FT
14
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 0 - 14
The Christchurch crowd was treated to a high-quality display of rugby league, with both teams delivering a passionate and hard-fought contest. Australia’s win cements their position as a dominant force in women’s rugby league, while the Kiwi Ferns will take valuable lessons from the encounter as they look to regroup and prepare for Papua New Guinea next week. For now, that wraps things up in this one. Thanks for tuning into Tribe's coverage of the Women's Pacific Championships.
Tamika Upton and Isabelle Kelly were outstanding for Australia, combining sharp footwork with aggressive line breaks that consistently had New Zealand on the back foot. The Jillaroos’ pack, led by Mato and Elliott, laid the groundwork up front, providing Brigginshaw with ample options and control in the halves. The Jillaroos’ balanced attack, paired with an airtight defence, showcased their depth and composure on the international stage.
Throughout the second half, New Zealand battled hard but found themselves stifled by Australia’s suffocating defence and superior game management. While Gayle Broughton showed sparks of creativity in the Kiwi halves, Australia’s relentless pressure kept New Zealand from finding any sustained momentum. Mele Hufanga and Annessa Biddle were standouts for the Kiwi Ferns, with Hufanga’s powerful runs and Biddle’s tireless work rate putting Australia under pressure at times, but ultimately, the Jillaroos’ defence held firm.
Just four minutes after Upton's try Australia struck again in clinical style. A powerful run from Shannon Mato and an offload to Millie Elliott created space downfield. The Jillaroos capitalised on this momentum, moving the ball out wide to Penitani, who then found Jessica Sergis in space. With her impressive speed, Sergis dashed through a gap in the Kiwi defence, finishing in the right corner to push Australia even further ahead, leaving New Zealand struggling to regain a foothold.
In the second half, the Jillaroos found their rhythm and turned up the intensity. The first breakthrough came in the 51st minute, with Australia’s left-side combination of Isabelle Kelly and Tamika Upton igniting the attack. After getting within metres of the line, Simaina Taufa and Keilee Joseph worked quick plays to set up Upton, who sliced through New Zealand’s defence with a deft step to score near the posts, stretching Australia’s lead.
Australia triumphed over the Kiwi Ferns by 14 points in a fiercely contested clash in Christchurch, pulling away in a dominant second-half performance. At half time, Australia held a narrow 4-point lead after Tiana Penitani broke through the New Zealand defence in the 33rd minute, exploiting a short pass from Ali Brigginshaw to reach the line. Although New Zealand had started the game strongly, they couldn’t convert early pressure into points, while the Jillaroos gradually took control, leveraging superior possession and territory to break down the Kiwi defence.
70'
Roache and Parker carry to their 10, along with Davison through midfield as time winds down. Left it goes for Tufuga, before Parker winds up on another run, and that is full-time.
70'
Penitani is stopped 33m from the try line. Brigginshaw then attacks the line, with the ball going left for Clydsdale, dragged down 8m short. Last play for Elliott and she takes the tackle for a handover 5m from the try line.
69'
Upton carries out of her own end and stays down after the tackle. Biddle and Parker made great contact initially but over worked Upton on the ground, conceding the penalty for a crusher tackle. Aiken finds touch near halfway. Carrying strongly is Elliott, along with Mato through midfield.