‘We panicked’: Jillaroos save worst performance for biggest game but survive to march on to semis

Australia may have won this time, but New Zealand will be supremely confident of reversing the result if they get a shot at revenge.

New Zealand will back themselves if they get to play Australia again in the final. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

A dodgy final pass helped the Jillaroos survive their toughest test of the World Cup with a scrappy 10-8 win over New Zealand who will fancy their chances if they get a shot at revenge in the final.

Australia fumbled and bumbled their way through the contest but importantly never crumbled to finish top of Group B to set up a semi-final showdown with Papua New Guinea.

Australia and New Zealand had combined to win the first five World Cups, but the Aussies were expected to cruise home on the back of two dominant pool matches where they outscored their opponents 166-0.

But New Zealand looked set to pull off the upset when they led 8-6 heading into the final 20 minutes, only for Julia Robinson to break their hearts with a try in the corner off what looked to be a forward pass from Jess Sergis.

Julia Robinson scored the winner. Picture: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images for RLWC

That play highlighted how hard it was for the Aussies to score, with the two-time defending champs lacking the fluency that produced 31 tries in the first two matches, with Tarryn Aiken grabbing the other four-pointer.

“That could have gone either way,” Jillaroos coach Brad Donald said, confirming Robinson will be rested for the semi-final with Evania Pelite set to return.

“We needed that game. We’ll get better from that and we can certainly be a lot better with our attack.”

The biggest problem for Australia was their handling, with Donald’s side making 16 errors after they turned it over just 19 times in the opening two wins.

Australia struggled to handle New Zealand’s physicality. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The back three struggled under the high ball in windy conditions, while the forwards were guilty of errors when they got in good field position.

“There were a couple of backline movements where we’d scored earlier in the tournament, and I think we panicked a little bit (when they held us out),” the coach said.

“I said to the girls at halftime that they looked a bit daunted that they hadn’t scored and that they had to stay patient.

“Our attack was definitely clunky with the pressure the Kiwi defence put on us.”

Mele Hufanga should be on the radar for NRLW teams. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

ONCE WERE WARRIORS

The performance against Australia will give the Kiwi Ferns plenty of confidence should they meet again in the decider, but it also begs the question why the Warriors aren’t back in the NRLW.

They were one of the four original teams when the competition was formed in 2018, but they didn’t play the past two seasons because of the pandemic.

There are four new clubs joining in 2023 to take the NRLW to 10 teams but the Warriors aren’t one of them, and it’s a shame.

The talent is clearly there given NZ halfback Raecene McGregor won this year’s Dally M Medal while playing for the Roosters.

Apii Nicholls outplayed Australian counterpart Sam Bremner at fullback and would be a huge asset to a local team after she failed to catch fire at the Titans.

McGregor and Nicholls combined for New Zealand’s first try when Nicholls latched onto a McGregor grubber to score the first points against Australia after 190 minutes at this World Cup.

Scores would have been level had Brianna Clark nailed her first conversion. Picture: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images for RLWC

The result could have been a lot different had Brianna Clark slotted the ensuing conversion, but her attempt from virtually in front of the sticks cannoned into the upright.

New Zealand’s dominance was confirmed when Broncos bulldozer Amber Hall was named player of the match in a losing side.

“Although we didn’t get the win, I’m sure we can take some lessons,” she said.

The Kiwi Ferns now face tournament hosts England on Tuesday morning (AEDT), with the winner to play Australia or PNG.