{
  "id": 15374429,
  "title": "New Zealand avoid massive World Cup shock against Fiji",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/new-zealand-avoid-massive-world-cup-shock-against-fiji",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-18T07:38:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/zealand-avoid-massive-world-cup-062421596.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The New Zealand women's rugby league team faced an unexpected challenge during their opening match against debutants Fiji in the Women's World Cup. While the \"Ferns\" are among the most successful teams in women's rugby league history, having won three World Cup titles and reaching the final in all six tournaments, they were forced to come from behind to secure an 18-12 victory over Fiji. New Zealand trailed 12-4 at halftime, the first time they had been behind at half-time in a World Cup match. Coach Ricky Henry described the performance as \"uncharacteristically ill-disciplined, untidy play\" and acknowledged that it was \"luck in the end.\" New Zealand will face France in their next match, while Fiji, who defeated Cook Islands 40-12, will face Australia in their upcoming match, with both teams aiming to cause upsets in their respective tournaments.",
  "summary": "New Zealand women are given a World Cup \"wake-up call\" after they are forced to come from behind to beat debutants Fiji in their opening game.",
  "key_points": [
    "New Zealand women's rugby league team lost to debutants Fiji.",
    "New Zealand trailed 12-4 at halftime, first time behind at half-time in a World Cup match.",
    "New Zealand will face France next, while Fiji faces Australia in their upcoming match."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "New Zealand avoid World Cup shock against Fiji",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/new-zealand-avoid-world-cup-shock-against-fiji",
        "published": "2026-10-18T06:24:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}