Australia held off a spirited Fiji Bulikula challenge to claim a 30-14 victory in their women’s Rugby League World Cup semifinal in Sydney tonight.
The win means the Jillaroos will face New Zealand in the final in seven days.
The story truly belonged to the Fijian women, who were never a chance in their first semifinal appearance, against the world champions.
Even Australian captain Isabella Kelly paid tribute to the Bulikula team and said they now shift their focus to the final.
“It was great, the atmosphere was unreal for the Fijian girls to make it here in the semifinals and what they have been able to do for Fiji back home and paving the way for all those young girls,” she said post-match.
“Incredible and I have so much respect for what they do.”
Fijian captain Sereana Naitokatoka paid tribute to the fans and families for their support.
She said the players were proud and the scoreline did not reflect the effort they had put in.
“It was an amazing game and I am so proud of all my lewas (women),” she said.
“They put in the hard work right from the first minute of the game and to the very end and am very proud of them.
“Want to thank all our matavuvales (families) for coming to support the girls no matter what the scoreboard is I know they will continue to support us.”
Fiji held their own in the first spell and led 8-0 with a converted try from Luisa Yaranamua, who also succeeded with a penalty kick.
The scoreline alone does not tell the story of how the Australians had to fight off the challenge from the islanders in front of close to 30,000 fans at the Allianz Stadium.
The Jillaroos scored six tries, with winger Abbi Church claiming four of her own.
Jocelyn Kelleher kicked three conversions for a personal tally of six points.
The other try-scorers for Australia were Tamika Upton and Jaime Chapman.
Fiji scored their second try through winger Maria Pasepa late in the second half.
The Bulikula played in their first world cup and created history by making it to the last four.
Fellow Pacific islanders Fetu Samoa also made the semifinals and lost to New Zealand on Saturday night.
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