Australia have won their World Cup final rematch against New Zealand with a hard-fought victory in Townsville on Saturday night.
The 16-10 win proved a much closer affair than the World Cup decider which the Jillaroos won this time last year 54-4.
Australia fullback and Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton scored the opener in the fifth minute but the Kiwi Ferns hit back.
Winger Annessa Biddle scored out wide but Raecene McGregor couldn’t nail the conversion to lock up the scores.
The Jillaroos crossed next when Caitlan Johnston barged over before Upton secured her double in the 32nd minute.
New Zealand centre Mele Hufanga scored the first try of the second half to close the gap to six points which set up a grandstand finish.
But the visitors couldn’t find the equaliser and when Biddle was binned on the stroke of full-time it was all over.
Upton almost completed her hat-trick in the second but had to instead settle for Australia claiming a 15th straight win.
“It’s 15 in a row for the Jillaroos, the World Cup champs in 2022 start their international season a year later with a victory against their World Cup victims,” Matt Russell said on Fox League.
