Rugby league-Australia thrash Samoa to set up World Cup final against NZ

Sydney witnessed a thrilling Rugby League Women's World Cup showdown, as Australia's Jillaroos emerged victorious over resilient Fiji. Abbi Church was a standout performer, scoring four tries to lead her team to a convincing 30-14 win. Despite being heavy favorites, the Jillaroos started poorly, trailing 8-8 at halftime. However, they gained momentum in the second half and never looked back, securing a strong grip on the match.

Australia's captain, Isabelle Kelly, expressed her team's excitement about facing Fiji, acknowledging it as a significant test. She also emphasized the need for further improvement if Australia aims to win the coveted title next week. The Australian team will face New Zealand in the upcoming final, which is scheduled for November 15 in Brisbane.

Fiji made a valiant effort, scoring an early try through Luisa Yaranamua's clever dummy play. However, Australia fought back with two tries within four minutes, putting them ahead before halftime. In the second half, Church scored her second and third tries, while Jaime Chapman added another. Jocelyn Kelleher converted all conversions, leading to a 20-8 advantage for Australia.

Australia, having won the last three World Cups, took the heat off New Zealand who had already qualified for the final with an emphatic 32-0 victory over Samoa. The Jillaroos now look set to add another title to their collection, building on their impressive recent form.