Test rugby league as it happened: Jillaroos and Kangaroos avenge last year’s losses with victory in Christchurch

It was a far cry from the 84-point walloping they handed Papua New Guinea a week earlier, but the Jillaroos still managed a 14-0 victory against the Kiwi Ferns in Christchurch on Sunday.

The Jillaroos were out for revenge against the team that handed them their last Test match defeat, and along with securing themselves a spot in the Pacific Championships final in two weeks time, the Jillaroos also managed to keep the Kiwi Ferns scoreless for the first time in the team’s history.

Tamika Upton scores for the Jillaroos.

It was a closer match than the scoreline reflected, especially in the first-half where New Zealand managed to shut the Jillaroos out for the first 31 minutes. But three repeat sets and 23 straight tackles finally wore on the home side, with Tiana Penitani finding a way through to break the deadlock on teh cusp of half-time.

It was a positional switch that helped the Jillaroos finally strike gold, with Penitani moving to pair Tarryn Aiken in the halves and captain Ali Brigginshaw shifting to hooker with Olivia Higgins having a rest on the bench.

The switch relieved pressure in the second half when Higgins left the field with an arm injury, when Brigginshaw had to return to hooker once more without a back-up on the bench for Jillaroos coach Brad Donald.

It was in the second half where the Jillaroos experience and patience really shined.

With the difference just four points after half-time, and the Kiwi Ferns determined to keep a grasp on the game, Queensland teammates Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken and Brigginshaw took control and nagged away at the home side’s defensive line before Upton was able to crack the line.

Upton’s try marked a change in momentum, and was a turning point for the Kiwi Ferns who were grasped by fatigued and struggled to control the ball, especially in the final 20 minutes of the match.

Even when veteran forward Kezie Apps left the field injured, Australia kept their cool, and was able to build on the Upton try with one for Jess Sergis, who had been injected into the game earlier in the first half.

The masterclass of Penitani and Aiken in the halves causes a conundrum for Donald, who now has to find a way to fit Penitani, Sergis, Brigginshaw and Isabelle Kelly into three positions when the Jillaroos play in the final on November 10.

Australia will play the winner of a match between the Kiwi Ferns and Papua New Guinea.

That’s full-time in Christchurch, and a victory for the Kangaroos.

The match was closer than the 22-10 scoreline reflects, but the Kangaroos were able to run away with the game in the final 20 minutes.

The Kangaroos now march to the Pacific Championships final on November 10, while New Zealand will play Tonga next week for a spot in the final.

Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden celebrate.Credit: Getty Images

That’s all we have time for today. Enjoy your evening.

Well, I spoke too soon.

Mitch Moses and Dylan Edwards team up to get on the outside of Matt Timiko before going back on the inside to score and all but seal a Kangaroos victory.

Yes, there is still plenty of time left in this match, but that try will definitely take the wind out of New Zealand’s sails.

Kangaroos 22, Kiwis 10 with six minutes to go

The Kangaroos have the field possession, but they don’t have the tools to crack this New Zealand defence.

Australia are desperate to widen the gap to more than just the one converted try, but the Kiwis are equally hungry to stay in this match.

Kangaroos 16, Kiwis 10 with eight minutes to go

It was a scramble, but the Kiwis are over for their second try of the night to keep this game very much alive.

It started with a Scott Sorenson line break and finished with a cross-field kick to Will Warbrick who used some tricky footwork to slip past Zac Lomax and score.

The conversion from Jamayne Isaako goes flying out the side, which makes the difference once converted try inside these final 15 minutes.

Kangaroos 16, Kiwis 10 with 13 minutes to go

Zac Lomax is in for his second try of the night, proving too strong for Scott Sorensen who tries to come across in cover.

It was the combination with Harry Grant – who slipped past Matt Timoko – that got Lomax the ball on the outside, and he brushed off Keano Kini and Sorenson to score.

Kangaroos 16, Kiwis 6 with 20 minutes to go

New Zealand have a fourth straight set, but they still can’t score.

That’s 24 straight tackles with no points to show for it.

The long ball over the top from Shaun Johnson made its way into Jamayne Isaako’s hands, but Xavier Coates and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow managed to get him into touch before he could ground the ball.

Impressive stuff from Australia.

Kangaroos 12, Kiwis 6 with 29 minutes to go

The Kangaroos have had to weather a few repeat attacking sets, and now Tom Trbojevic gives away another.

Ashley Klein rules that he obstructs Will Warbrick’s kick-chase, and the Kiwis get another set 20-metres out from the Kangaroos line.

Kangaroos 12, Kiwis 6 with 34 minutes to go

Angus Crichton has an awkward pick-up from a Shaun Johnson grubber, and Isaiah Papali’i ground the ball and claims a try.

There’s no grounding from Crichton, but Dylan Edwards jumps in to ground the ball and deny New Zealand a try.

That’s quick-thinking from Edwards, and forces a goal-line dropout.

Kangaroos 12, Kiwis 6 after 35 minutes