Arabic version: جيلاروز تنجو من فزع فيجي وتبلغ نهائي كأس العالم

According to ABC News, the Jillaroos have reached a fifth consecutive Rugby League World Cup final after overcoming tournament debutant Fiji 34-14 at Sydney Football Stadium. Australia will play New Zealand in next Sunday’s decider at Lang Park in Brisbane.

Fiji produced a fierce opening to put the world champions under pressure. Five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua kicked a penalty goal in the 11th minute before dummied and crossed for a try, giving the Bulikula an 8-0 advantage after 16 minutes and raising the prospect of a major upset.

Australia, which had moved through the group stage with an aggregate scoreline of 242-6, were challenged for the first time in the tournament. Winger Abbi Church and Tamika Upton scored unconverted tries to level the scores by half-time, although the hosts had completed only 12 of their 19 sets before the break.

The Jillaroos improved after half-time and pulled clear, with Church scoring three further tries, including an aerial effort, to finish with four for the match. Jaime Chapman crossed early in the second period but spent much of the half off the field with what was reported as cramp. Fiji added a late try, while Maria Paseka scored after a short-side play before Church registered her fourth.

Fiji captain Sereana Naitokatoka said she was proud of her side’s performance after its run to the semi-finals. “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,” she said on Channel 7.