Cup final the end of an era
The curtains were drawn on the careers of some of the world’s best female rugby league players after the Australia Jillaroos’ World Cup final win over the Kiwi Ferns.
Australia scored four tries to three to win 23-16 in Brisbane on Saturday in a signature moment for the women’s game.
It was the first time the women’s final had been staged on the same day and at the same venue as the men’s title decider. and the two teams treated the crowd to an entertaining encounter.
Australian forwards Steph Hancock and Renae Kunst bowed out as champions and the match also marked the final furlongs for Kiwi Ferns captain Laura Mariu and tryscoring hero Honey Hireme, who had both told Stuff of their plans to retire at the end of the tournament.
Hireme, a double rugby and league international, who had vowed she would be taking up a new sport - ‘‘professional sunbathing’’ - finished the series with 13 tries after dotting down twice against the Jillaroos.
She carved off 93m from 10 carries and scored twice within the space of seven minutes in the first half.
Hireme crossed in the corner in the 13th minute and found the line again after a scrum move at the end of the first quarter to give the Kiwi Ferns a 10-6 lead, which was overhauled by a converted try to Jillaroos halfback Caitlin Moran just before halftime.
Loose forward Mariu led the Kiwi Ferns in metres (130) and runs (15) and made 28 tackles - second only to hooker Krystal Rota with 40.
Mariu, 36, is hanging up her boots after 17 years to take up a police career after playing in five World Cup tournaments and winning three titles.
The double international - who represented New Zealand at softball as a teenager - said she was gutted at the Brisbane result, but still proud of her team.
‘‘There are only four of us that have experienced a World Cup win,’’ Mariu said after the final whistle.
‘‘I’m gutted but I don’t really show emotion in terms of that - I’ll probably go home and cry my little eyes out in my room.
‘‘I’m sad for the team but I’m also really proud of how far they’ve come on this journey. ‘‘They’ve done really well.’’ Australia led 12-10 at the interval and leapt out to a 12-point lead after second half tries to Isabelle Kelly (her second of the game) and Elianna Walton as the Jillaroos capitalised on some Kiwi errors and ill-discipline.
Tony Benson’s Kiwi Ferns showed their fighting spirit to narrow the gap with a try to Raecene McGregor after a bust by Krystal Murray, but Moran’s last-gasp field goal meant the Jillaroos could not be headed.