Australia Advance to Rugby League World Cup Final Following Tough Semi-Final Against Fiji

Australia advanced to their fifth consecutive Women's Rugby League World Cup final after overcoming a determined challenge from Fiji with a 30-14 victory at Sydney Football Stadium. The reigning champions will now face New Zealand in the tournament decider next weekend at Lang Park in Brisbane.

Playing in their first women's World Cup, the Fijian side caused an early upset by taking an 8-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Fiji became the first team to open the scoring against Australia in a World Cup match since the 2013 final, breaking Australia's streak of scoring first. After an initial penalty goal, half-back Luisa Yaranamua capitalized on a ball steal by captain Sereana Naitokatoka to score and convert, putting the tournament debutants ahead.

Australia responded late in the first half to level the score at 8-8 by halftime. Winger Abbi Church crossed in the right corner for her first try, followed shortly after by Tamika Upton, who slipped through the defence following a drop-out.

Church dominated the second half for Australia, scoring a total of four tries in the match to bring her tournament tally to seven tries across four games. Further tries from Upton and Jaime Chapman, alongside three goals from Jocelyn Kelleher, helped secure the 30-14 win for the Jillaroos.

Despite the loss, Fiji's performance highlighted the growing competitiveness of international women's rugby league, following a narrow 18-12 defeat against New Zealand earlier in the tournament. However, Australia's victory came with an injury concern as winger Chapman was forced off the field with a quad injury after scoring.