NRL Pacific Championship: Australia Jillaroos win 16-10 over Kiwi Ferns
In a stark contrast from the women’s World Cup final, the Kiwi Ferns made the Jillaroos work hard for their 15th straight win, in a thriller at Townsville.
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The Australian Jillaroos held on to claim their 15th straight win, dispatching the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns 16-10 to open their Pacific Championships campaign, but the girls from across the ditch made them work for it.
Australia’s class was apparent with recently crowned Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton and veteran Ali Brigginshaw able to pick apart holes in the defence with ease.
Upton starred in her home state with two first-half tries, using her speed and long strides to get around defenders in trademark fashion.
But the plucky visitors refused to go away and tired Australia out with impressively clean possession and tireless scramble defence.
OUTSTANDING UPTON
Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry said that the Jillaroos fullback was ultimately the difference.
“If she doesn’t play we win,” Henry said. “She’s a quality player, we just tried to minimise her impact on the game but she played really well tonight and has done all year.
“We were quite clunky and we didn’t build enough pressure to really see if she could handle it. So we’ve got a lot in us and a lot to get better at, but tonight (Upton) did some things that she’s done all year.”
Australian mentor Brad Donald said the same could be said about most games the Karyn Murphy Medallist played in 2023.
Upton’s former club and current state and national captain Brigginshaw said she could not be prouder of her sensational debut.
“I’ve played with her many times before. The more pressure the game is the better she is,” Brigginshaw said.
“What I loved was how calm she was and how much she bought into this jersey. That was her first game in the Jillaroos … and she is one of those players you need out there. I could not be prouder of her debut.”
“Freaky Meekey, I knew she was going to carve up tonight,” winger Julia Robinson said.
“She’s definitely a game-changer. This is definitely the level that she belongs.”
ROOS’ TROUBLE ICING CHANCES
Australia enjoyed a wealth of opportunities throughout the match but failed to make the most of its chances.
Sydney Roosters centres Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis each broke the line in the first half and could not find their unmarked support players.
The Kiwi Ferns were caught without markers for Australia’s first try and conceded eight linebreaks to one but the enthusiasm to get back in defence and force errors saved a number of certain tries.
Upton burst through the line in the second half with four players in support but again the opportunity was thrown away when the ball was spilt.
“It was probably a little bit of execution but that’s nothing we can’t fix,” Jillaroos co-captain Brigginshaw said.
“We have the players out there and we’re not afraid to play what we see. Nothing too major.”
MIGHTY MELE
New Zealand centre Mele Hunfanga was devastating with every carry and she was the Kiwi Ferns’ most dangerous player.
Hufanga took her share of the hard yards deep inside her own half but it was in attack where she really shined, usually bowling over the first tackler before she was brought down.
The fearsome Fern opened the scoring in the second half when she appeared to beat half the Australian team on her way to the in-goal where she slammed the ball down despite Upton’s best efforts.
The Brisbane Broncos star finished the game with 17 tackle breaks – almost eclipsing Australia’s combined 19 – and 165m from her 15 runs, including 56 post contact metres.
“Mele has been awesome all year to be fair and showed that again tonight,” Henry said.
“She had a challenge on her hands marking one of the best centres in the game and she showed that she’s up there with the best of them.”
Jillaroos camp was just as impressed with the 28-year-old wrecking ball.
“I think she used a bottle of oil on her legs, they were that shiny and slippery,” Brigginshaw said.
“It’s great to see players like that in the game,” Australia coach Donald said.
“People love to come out and watch players like her and how dominant she can be. She gave our girls a tough night tonight.”
Australia: 16 (T: Upton (2), Johnston C: Brigginshaw 2/3)
New Zealand: 10 (T: Biddle, Hufanga C: McGregor 1/2)
The Australian Jillaroos held on to claim their 15th straight win, dispatching the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns 16-10 to open their Pacific Championships campaign, but the girls from across the ditch made them work for it.
Australia’s class was apparent with recently crowned Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton and veteran Ali Brigginshaw able to pick apart holes in the defence with ease.
Upton starred in her home state with two first-half tries, using her speed and long strides to get around defenders in trademark fashion.
But the plucky visitors refused to go away and tired Australia out with impressively clean possession and tireless scramble defence.
In the end the Jillaroos experience got them across the line but coach Brad Donald will want to see a lot more from his group in a fortnight’s time.
ROOS’ TROUBLE ICING CHANCES
Australia enjoyed a wealth of opportunities throughout the match but failed to make the most of its chances.
Sydney Roosters centres Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis each broke the line in the first half and could not find their unmarked support players.
The Kiwi Ferns were caught without markers for Australia’s first try and conceded eight linebreaks to one but the enthusiasm to get back in defence and force errors saved a number of certain tries.
Upton burst through the line in the second half with four players in support but again the opportunity was thrown away when the ball was spilt.
MIGHTY MELE
New Zealand centre Mele Hunfanga was devastating with every carry and she was the Kiwi Ferns’ most dangerous player.
Hufanga took her share of the hard yards deep inside her own half but it was in attack where she really shined, usually bowling over the first tackler before she was brought down.
The fearsome Fern opened the scoring in the second half when she appeared to beat half the Australian team on her way to the in-goal where she slammed the ball down despite Upton’s best efforts.
The Brisbane Broncos star finished the game with 17 tackle breaks and 165m from her 15 runs, including 56 post contact metres.
Australia: 16 (T: Upton (2), Johnston C: Brigginshaw 2/3)
New Zealand: 10 (T: Biddle, Hufanga C: McGregor 1/2)
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