By George Clarke
Australia survived a scare against New Zealand, claiming a gritty 10-8 win to book a Rugby League World Cup semi-final meeting with Papua New Guinea.
In the tightest and most attritional game of the women’s tournament so far, both sides scored two tries on a windy and blustery night in front of 3370 fans in York.
In the end the goalkicking of veteran Australian halfback Ali Brigginshaw proved the difference.
Kiwi counterpart Brianna Clark was unable to hit either of her shots and it means New Zealand will now play hosts England in the other semi-final in a double-header at York’s LNER Community Stadium on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).
The Kiwi Ferns match-up loomed as Australia’s toughest test of the group stage after they dispatched of France and the Cook Islands by a combined scoreline of 166-0.
Both teams are strong favourites to reach the final at Old Trafford next week and with qualification for the knockout stages assured, you could have been forgiven for thinking it might have lacked intensity.
Julia Robinson crosses for Australia’s second try in the two-point win over New Zealand.Credit:Getty
But what transpired was an intense and enthralling battle.
It took until the 20th minute to break the deadlock, with Jillaroos five-eighth Tarryn Aiken crashing over from close range before Brigginshaw converted.
The Jillaroos had to work for every metre with the powerful Kiwi pack led by wrecking ball back-rower Amber Hall causing Australia’s defence no end of problems.
The New Zealanders finally got their reward after some sustained pressure when a well-weighted Raecene McGregor grubber bounced up kindly for Apii Nicholls to touch down on the half-hour mark.
The boot of Ali Brigginshaw proved the difference as the Jillaroos booked a final-four showdown against Papua New Guinea.Credit:Getty
Australia led 6-4 at the break but the kicking game of Dally M Player of the Year McGregor was giving the Jillaroos headaches at the back.
Jillaroos fullback Sam Bremner had a tough night under a constant aerial assault, but it was when she returned one of McGregor’s kicks that she was left feeling red-faced.
Bremner got back to the halfway line where she had the ball ripped off her by rampaging centre Mele Hufanga.
She didn’t make it to the try line but on the ensuing set the Kiwis went in on the left flank through Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly in the 55th minute. Clark failed to make the conversion and for the first time at this tournament Australia trailed, if only briefly.
Julia Robinson finished on the right wing in the 62nd minute and while New Zealand threw everything at them, the Australian defence was able to hold on for a narrow victory.
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