Abbi Church Scores Four as the Jillaroos Survive a Fiji Scare to Reach the World Cup Final
Abbi Church scored four tries as Australia came from 8-0 down to beat Fiji 30-14 in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup semi-final at Allianz Stadium.
Fiji are playing their first World Cup. For 40 minutes they looked like pulling off one of the biggest upsets the sport has seen.
How Fiji led the champions
Fiji forced early errors and took a 2-0 lead with a Luisa Yaranamua penalty in the 12th minute. That made them the first side to score first against Australia in a Test since New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup final, NRL.com reported.
A few minutes later captain Sereana Naitokatoka stole the ball from Jaime Chapman 10 metres from the Australian line, and Yaranamua went over and converted her own try. It was 8-0, and Australia were behind for the first time at this tournament.
Church and Tamika Upton scored before half-time to level it, but Jocelyn Kelleher missed both conversions, and it was 8-8 at the break. Upton also tipped a Fiji grubber dead that would otherwise have given Fiji the lead.
Church takes over
Five minutes into the second half Jess Sergis tipped the ball on and Church danced through from 10 metres for her second. Her third came from a long Tarryn Aiken kick to the corner, caught at full speed. Chapman scored her 10th try of the tournament in between.
Maria Paseka gave Fiji a late try they deserved. Church had the last word. She collected a Losana Lutu kick about 30 metres from her own line and raced clear to score.
She finished with 205 run metres, NRL.com reported, and she now has eight tries in four games at this World Cup. Captain Isabelle Kelly ran for 165 metres.
| Team | Tries | Goals | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Church 4, Upton, Chapman | Kelleher 3 | 30 |
| Fiji | Yaranamua, Paseka | Yaranamua 3 | 14 |
The Kiwi Ferns next
Australia are chasing a fourth title in a row and play New Zealand in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November. The Kiwi Ferns beat Samoa 32-0 on Saturday, led by Stacey Waaka’s hat-trick. Australia beat them 54-4 in the last final, in 2022.
Australia have one worry: Chapman left the field with cramp with 20 minutes to play. Fiji, who also ran New Zealand close in their opening game before losing 18-12, go home with plenty to build on. Every men’s result so far is on our World Cup table.
