Church Scores Four Tries as Australia Beats Fiji 30–14 to Reach World Cup Final

Abbi Church scored four tries as Australia beat Fiji 30–14 in their Women’s Rugby League World Cup semifinal at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on November 8. The Jillaroos recovered from an early eight-point deficit to secure a place in the final against New Zealand in Brisbane. Fiji, playing in their first World Cup, took the lead through a Luisa Yaranamua penalty in the 12th minute. Yaranamua then scored from dummy half and converted her own try for an 8–0 advantage. It was the first time since the 2013 World Cup final that Australia had failed to score the opening points in a Test. Church opened Australia’s scoring in the right corner after Tarryn Aiken and Tamika Upton combined. Upton’s third try of the tournament brought the teams level at 8–8 by halftime. Church scored again five minutes into the second half, with Jocelyn Kelleher’s conversion putting Australia ahead 14–8. Jaime Chapman added her tenth try of the tournament in the 44th minute, and Church completed her hat-trick from Aiken’s cross-field kick as the lead reached 24–8. Maria Paseka’s 62nd-minute try, following Yaranamua’s pass, helped Fiji close the gap to ten points. Church then caught a high kick and ran 80 metres for her fourth try. She finished with 205 running metres and the player-of-the-match award. Australia captain Isabelle Kelly ran 165 metres, while back-rower Olivia Kernick made 19 runs for 156 metres.