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Jillaroos march into Cup final after Kiwi Ferns shutout

Author: Martin Lenehan NRL Senior Journalist
Timestamp: Sun 27 Oct 2024, 03:19 PM

The Jillaroos shut out arch-rivals the Kiwi Ferns 14-0 in Christchurch on Sunday to punch their ticket to the Pacific Cup final on November 10.

Australia will take plenty of confidence into the decider after exacting revenge for a 12-6 loss in last year's final, but an arm injury to hooker Olivia Higgins could be a concern for Brad Donald's side.

Despite having 60 per cent of the ball in the opening 12 minutes the Kiwi Ferns were unable to crack the Jillaroos and when Australia got their chance inside the red zone it was Millie Elliott getting over the line twice only to be held up on both occasions.

The Jillaroos continued to mount pressure but poor last-tackle kicks by Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw allowed the home side to come away.

A dropped ball by debutant Alexis Tauaneai coming out of her own end in the 24th minute put the Kiwi Ferns under the pump but Tiana Davison came up with strong defence on Higgins to force the ball loose.

Tiana Penitani Try

With four minutes remaining in the half it was Aiken earning a repeat set with a neat grubber and the Jillaroos broke the deadlock when Tiana Penitani took a short ball from Brigginshaw and powered past Gayle Broughton and Amber Hall to score. Aiken missed the conversion and the Jillaroos took a 4-0 lead to the break.

Both sides traded errors in the opening sets of the second half before the Jillaroos came up with a sweeping movement that went through nine sets of hands before Simaima Taufa was denied on the line by desperate Annessa Biddle defence.

Biddle stops Upton short

Late contact by Keilee Joseph on Broughton after a kick gave the Ferns a great shot at points but the opportunity was lost when Tauaneai put the ball down early in the set.

With 19 minutes to play, Jilaroos fullback Tamika Upton stamped her class on the match with a huge left foot step to bust the line and plant the ball down to make it 10-0 with Aiken's conversion.

Four minutes later the Jillaroos struck again when a brilliant offload by Boyle put Upton into space and Jess Sergis scored from the ensuing play as the Ferns defence failed to recover.

From there the Jillaroos were able to control proceedings through to full-time and now ser sail towards the Cup final at CommBank Stadium in two weeks' time.

A win for the Kiwi Ferns over the Kumuls in Port Moresby next week will give them another shot at the Jillaroos in the final.

Week 2 - Week 2 - Sunday 27 Oct

Full Time

Kiwi Ferns

Jillaroos

Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

Highlights Latest

Match Snapshot

Jillaroos skipper Kezie Apps ran for 88 metres and had three tackle breaks before she was forced off with a knee injury in the 42nd minute. She was able to return to the field late in the contest.
The Jillaroos completed at 81 per cent in the opening half compared to the Kiwi Ferns' 70 per cent.
Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga went on report in the 44th minute for a dangerous tackle.
Jillaroos forward Keilee Joseph was placed on report for late contact on the kicker in the 48th minute.
The last time the Kiwi Ferns hosted a Test match in Christchurch was a 44-0 win over Great Britain in 1998.
Kiwi Ferns forward Annessa Biddle was placed on report for a crusher tackle in the 69th minute.

The Kiwi Ferns Haka

Jillaroos centre Tiana Penitani racked up 144 run metres and six tackle breaks to go with a try.
Mahalia Murphy entered the field for the first time in the 55th minute when Olivia Higgins went off clutching her wrist.
The Kiwi Ferns were held scoreless for the first time ever in a Test match.
Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly made her 15th Test appearance. She ran for 131 metres.
Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga ran for 91 metres and had seven tackle breaks.
Kiwi Ferns Annessa Biddle and Georgia Hale combined for 91 tackles.
Millie Elliott led the way in the middle for the Jillaroos with 14 runs for 128 metres in 54 minutes of game time.
The Jillaroos had six line breaks to the Kiwi Ferns' none.