Kiwi Ferns final-bound
The New Zealand Ferns marched into their sixth consecutive Women’s Rugby League World Cup final with a 20-6 win over the tournament hosts in York yesterday.
After leading by just two points at halftime, Apii Nicholls and Mele Hufanga led a second-half charge to ensure the Kiwi Ferns kept their final streak alive and booked the Ferns a spot in Sunday’s World Cup Final double header against the Jillaroos.
After a Nicholls knock-on handed the hosts’ early field position, the Lionesses opened their account in the fourth minute when fullback Francesca Goldthorp crossed out wide and Tara-jane Stanley converted for a 6-0 lead.
New Zealand hit back through centre Hufanga in the 15th minute after a strong run by Broncos prop Amber Hall who evaded several defenders and sent a well-timed pass back inside to Hufanga.
Come the 28th minute and New Zealand had their second when NRLW Dally M Medal winner Raecene Mcgregor exploded out from dummy half 5 metres out, stepped off her left foot and crashed over the goal line.
After another unsuccessful conversion, Ricky Henry’s side headed to the break with just a two-point lead.
Six minutes into the second half saw a great moment for New Zealand when Hufanga and Nicholls charged downfield to find Otesa Pule on the left who crossed the stripe for her first World Cup try.
Come the 51st minute and courtesy of another barnstorming break from Hufanga down the right edge, the Ferns swung the ball back infield to find Brianna Clark who found the gap to score untouched next to the uprights. Nicholls converted to bring the score to 20-6.
Earlier, Australia’s Jillaroos destroyed Papua New Guinea 82-0 to secure their place in the final.