Australia beat debutants Fiji to reach fifth straight Women's Rugby League World Cup final

Australia defeated Fiji in a Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final and will play New Zealand in the final. It is Australia's fifth consecutive World Cup final. Fiji were playing in their first Women's Rugby League World Cup.

Australia trailed 8-0 in the first half before recovering. According to the BBC, the final score was 30-14. The Guardian's report does not give the final score.

How the match unfolded

Fiji scored first. Luisa Yaranamua kicked a penalty goal. She then scored a try after Fiji captain Sereana Naitokatoka stripped the ball from Jaime Chapman near the Australian line.

According to the BBC, the penalty came after Simaima Taufa conceded a penalty under the posts after 12 minutes, and Fiji chose to kick for two points. The Guardian reported that the penalty goal followed an illegal strip. The Guardian also reported that Jess Sergis held up Fiji backrower Talei Holmes over the line within the first three minutes.

Australia levelled the scores before half-time with tries from Abbi Church, in the corner, and Tamika Upton. According to the BBC, Jocelyn Kelleher missed two first-half conversion attempts, and Upton tipped a Fiji grubber kick dead before the break, preventing Australia from trailing at half-time.

Australia took control in the second half. Winger Church scored four tries in total, including one from a Tarryn Aiken kick and a late long-range try. According to the BBC, that last try came after she collected a kick by Losana Lutu around 30 metres from her own line. Chapman also scored a try. The Guardian reported that she was taken off with a quad injury after scoring. The reports do not include an official statement on the injury or her availability for the final. Maria Paseka scored a late try for Fiji.

According to the BBC, it was the first time Australia had trailed at this tournament, and the match was played at Sydney Football Stadium. The Guardian reported that Yaranamua, 23, has yet to play an NRLW match.

The final

According to the BBC, the final will be played next Sunday in Brisbane, kicking off at 05:10 GMT, with Australia seeking a fourth consecutive title. The Guardian reported the venue as Lang Park and said it will be the fifth final in a row between Australia and New Zealand. The reports do not include an official tournament source confirming these details.

Fiji lost narrowly to New Zealand earlier in the tournament. The BBC reported the score as 18-12. According to the Guardian, Fiji led 12-10 at half-time before a late New Zealand try. The Guardian also reported that Australia's last defeat was a 12-6 loss to New Zealand in Melbourne more than three years ago.

What is disputed

The outlets describe Fiji's opening score differently. The BBC said Fiji were the first side since New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup final to open the scoring against Australia. The Guardian said it was the first time Australia had not scored first in a World Cup match since that final.

The reports do not include comments from players, coaches or officials of either team.

Analysis

The result keeps Australia on course for a fourth consecutive title, according to the BBC, but the semi-final suggests the gap to emerging teams may be narrowing. Fiji, in their debut tournament, led Australia and, according to the reports, came close against New Zealand. Whether that reflects a lasting shift or two strong performances is not yet clear. For the final, much may depend on Jaime Chapman's fitness, which the reports do not officially confirm. A fifth successive Australia-New Zealand final, as reported by the Guardian, also underlines how concentrated success in the women's game has been so far.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.