AUSTRALIA failed to lead at halftime in a women’s Test for the first time in a decade as Fiji rocked them in the second World Cup semi-final.
Eventually the Jillaroos righted their listing ship to beat the Bulikula 30-14 at Allianz Stadim and set up a title bout with New Zealand at Allianz Stadium next Sunday.
But as the Fijian trainer shouted “who wants it?” and the Fijians led 8-0 early, one TV commentator was talking “the biggest upset in the history of rugby league”.
The Bulikula basically ambushed the Cup holders early, forcing errors and putting them under pressure – and they took a 2-0 lead with Luisa Yaranamua’s penalty goal in the 11th minute.
Taranamua, from South Sydney, added a try of her own and a conversion to bring up the unlikely scoreline.
Australia drew level through unconverted tries to Abbi Church and Tamika Upton before halftime but the Fijians did not slacken off.
Church posted her second five minutes into the second half and then winger Jaime Chapman opened up the all-important two-score lead in the 44th minute.
But the Bulikula weren’t done, Maria Paseka flashing over with eight to go.
Jessica Surgis went down injured as Church streaked away for her fourth try in the dying minutes.
AUSTRALIA 30 (Church 4 Upton Chapman tries Kelleher 3 goals) beat FIJI 14 (Yaranamua Paseka tries 2 goals) at Allianz Stadium.
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Tamika Upton (Brisbane); Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (capt, Sydney Roosters), Abbi Church (Parramatta); Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), Tarryn Aiken (Sydney Roosters); Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Higgins (Newcastle), Simaima Taufa (Canberra), Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla), Shaylee Bent (Wests Tigers), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters).
Reserves: Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters), Keilee Joseph (Parramatta), Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Sariah Paki (Sydney Roosters), Sheridan Gallagher (Canberra), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla), Jesse Southwell (Brisbane), Quincy Dodd (Cronulla), Makenzie Weale (North Queensland).
FIJI: Cassie Staples (Cronulla); Maria Paseka (St George Illawarra), Isabella Waterman (Canberra), Sienna Laing (Burleigh), Taina Naividi (Sydney Roosters); Luisa Yaranamua (South Sydney), Losana Lutu (Wests Tigers); Latisha Smythe (Canterbury), Sereana Naitokatoka (capt, Canberra), Lorren Ieli (Gold Coast), Elizabeth Naleba (Burleigh), Talei Holmes (Cronulla), Leilani Ahsam (Cronulla).
Reserves: Tahlia Marshall (Brisbane Tigers), Teaghan Hartigan (Burleigh), Ema Masi (Norths), Aliti Namoce (South Sydney), Nanise Vakacavu (Cronulla), Naomi Tegu (USP Raiders), Abigayle Sekitoga (Burleigh), Rory Muller (South Sydney), Ebony Laing (Burleigh).
Referee: Belinda Sharpe.
