The Jillaroos have qualified for the Rugby League World Cup final, but only after surviving an almighty scare against tournament debutant Fiji at Sydney Football Stadium.
The world champions conceded first and were level at half-time, but surged clear after the break to triumph 30-14 and avoid one of the sport’s all-time upsets.
Winger Abbi Church scored four tries as the Jillaroos booked a date with New Zealand in next Sunday’s final in Brisbane.
Speaking on Channel 7 at full-time, Fiji captain Sereana Naitokatoka was bristling with pride for her team, which provided one of the World Cup’s great storylines in its run to the semifinals.
“I’m so proud of all my lewas [girls], they put in the hard work from the first minute of the game to the very end, and I’m very proud of them,” Naitokatoka said.
Luisa Yaranamua gave Fiji a shock early lead. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)
After cruising through the group stage with an aggregate scoreline of 242-6, the Australians were challenged for the first time in the competition, caught off guard by a disciplined, aggressive Bulikula outfit.
A penalty goal from five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua earned Fiji a shock 11th minute lead, before the same player dummied and then slid over to provide one of the most sensational scorelines in international rugby league history.
8-0 down after 16 minutes, the Jillaroos were far from their best and clearly rattled, with their hopes of a fifth-straight World Cup final seemingly under threat.
Two unconverted tries, courtesy of Church and Tamika Upton, ensured scores were level at half-time, but the hosts reached the break having completed just 12 of their 19 sets.
An improved second-half showing saw the Jillaroos hit the front and then find some breathing space, Church striking three times after the break, including one spectacular aerial effort.
A cause for concern was the absence of star winger Jaime Chapman, who crossed early in the second period but spent much of the half off the field, struggling with what was reported as cramp.
Fiji was able to conjure a second try late on, but Maria Paseka’s late four-pointer, scored after a neat short-side play, was quickly cancelled out by Church’s fourth effort of the day.
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