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Australia have reasserted their status as the heavyweights of international women’s rugby league, thrashing New Zealand 24-4 in the Pacific Cup final as revenge for last year’s decider.
The pressure was on the Jillaroos this Pacific Championships following that shock loss to the Kiwi Ferns in the 2023 final, and some controversial selection calls since.
Brad Donald’s side responded by going almost the entire series without conceding a point, with only a suspect Leianne Tufuga try on Sunday preventing them from recording three consecutive clean sheets for the first time.
At CommBank Stadium, the Jillaroos’ left edge set the tone for a dominant showing that would have been even more one-sided had Tarryn Aiken kicked more than two of five goal attempts.
Halfback Aiken was the Jillaroos’ best, sending the final pass for Julia Robinson to score the opening try when Shanice Parker rushed in. It was Robinson’s seventh four-pointer of the series.
When Aiken stepped past Apii Nicholls and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa en route to the tryline 10 minutes after half-time, the Jillaroos were 24 points ahead and looked unlikely to be chased down.
Aiken could have had another try in the shadows of half-time after a chip and chase narrowly cleaned up by Nicholls.
Tamika Upton showcased some of her own brilliant best, cashing in when Nicholls could not control the star fullback’s grubber kick.
The Kiwi Ferns had ample chances to find points with the game in the balance, particularly in the period immediately after halftime, when an Upton knock-on helped them stay up the Jillaroos’ end.
But Najvada George and then Mele Hufanga spilt the ball at point-blank range, with neither Kiwi Ferns half able to create a line break much less a try on Sunday.
Their first break came when Hufanga intercepted a ball from Ali Brigginshaw, sprinting 60 metres before being tackled by Kezie Apps and Aiken.
The Kiwi Ferns found a consolation try in the last two minutes, though Tufuga appeared to drop the ball over the line on the left wing.
New Zealand initially called a medicab onto the field when Annessa Biddle collected the hip of rival second-rower Yasmin Clydsdale and lay motionless on the ground during the second half.
Tamika Upton celebrates with teammates after scoring. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)
Biddle was eventually able to rise to her feet and leave the field, but showed category-one head injury symptoms so did not return.
A knee injury prematurely ended Simaima Taufa’s afternoon midway through the second half.
For their next international match, the Jillaroos will face England for the first time since 2017 as part of the NRL’s second annual trip to Las Vegas in March.
Meanwhile, Jamie Soward says his fresh tattoo proves his role in Samoa’s successful Pacific Championships campaign was not about putting himself in the shop window for his next coaching role.
The Samoa head coach revealed in the aftermath of Sunday’s 34-12 promotion play-off win over Papua New Guinea that he recently had the numbers “685” inked on his hip.
Samoa’s international dialling code is 685 and the number is worn as a badge of honour by the country’s residents and diaspora.
PNG were no match for Soward’s side, except for inspirational captain Elsie Albert who crashed in for two second-half tries.
PNG’s Sera Koroi was sent off for a spear tackle on Sarina Masaga with 15 minutes left in the match.
Sareka Mooka was also placed on report twice, once for a hair-pull and another for planting an elbow in the face of Lindsay Tui.
© AAP
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