Church scores four as Australia overcome Fiji scare to reach World Cup final

AI-generated illustration.

Abbi Church scored four tries as Australia recovered from an early 8–0 deficit to beat Fiji 30–14 in Sydney on Sunday, 8 November. The Jillaroos secured a fifth consecutive Women’s Rugby League World Cup final appearance and will face New Zealand in Brisbane.

Fiji, playing in their first World Cup, made the defending champions work hard for their place. Luisa Yaranamua kicked a penalty to open the scoring, then crossed from dummy half and added the conversion herself to give the Bulikula their eight-point advantage.

Australia responded through Church, who finished a move involving Tarryn Aiken and Tamika Upton. Upton then scored herself, with the two unconverted tries bringing the teams level at 8–8 by half-time.

The Jillaroos reached the interval having completed only 12 of their 19 sets. Their second-half performance was more effective, with Church scoring her second after a pass from Jess Sergis and Jaime Chapman also crossing.

Church completed her hat-trick by collecting Aiken’s crossfield kick as Australia moved 24–8 ahead. But Fiji kept the contest alive: Yaranamua’s pass created a try for Maria Paseka, reducing the gap to ten points.

Church delivered the decisive response, catching a high kick and running 80 metres for her fourth try. She finished with 205 running metres as Australia closed out the win at Allianz Stadium.

The result ended a notable debut campaign for Fiji, who had threatened a major upset before Australia regained control. The Jillaroos now turn to the final on Sunday, 15 November, against the Kiwi Ferns, who booked their place by defeating Samoa on Saturday.