Here’s what you might have missed overnight at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.
Australia and New Zealand will meet in the Women's World Cup final after winning their semi-finals on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
A boisterous crowd of 7139 was on hand at LNER Community Stadium to see defending champions Australia outclass Papua New Guinea 82-0 before New Zealand downed hosts England 20-6 in the second semi-final.
The showdown at Old Trafford will be the fourth consecutive World Cup final between the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns, with Australia victorious in 2017 and 2013 after New Zealand took the spoils in 2008.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The main takeaways
- The Jillaroos went into the game as unbackable favourites and lived up to their billing with a clinical 15-try display to progress to their fourth consecutive World Cup final.
- Jillaroos coach Brad Donald faces some tough selection calls ahead of the decider after Emma Tonegato made an undeniable case for the starting fullback role. Donald told media post-match that Tonegato would definitely be part of the 17 for the final.
Selection headaches for Donald ahead of final
- Jillaroos co-captain Kezie Apps missed the game with an adductor strain but she is expected back for the final at Old Trafford as are the other six players who were rested from the semi-final.
- The Orchids can look ahead to France 2025 with plenty of positivity after winning games against Canada and Brazil to progress to the semi-finals for the first time.
Star performers
Emma Tonegato was supreme at fullback for the Jillaroos with 246 running metres, three tries and three try assists while Isabelle Kelly also helped herself to a first-half hat-trick. Halfback Lauren Brown had two try assists and five line break assists as she tormented the Orchids defence all game. Skipper Elsie Albert was inspirational for PNG, racking up 158 run metres as she showed her young team-mates the way forward. Albert finished the tournament with 347 post-contact metres in four matches, an astonishing achievement for one of the game's true warriors.
Tonegato supreme in player of the match performance
Recap
- Match report: Jillaroos power past Orchids into Cup final
- Key injuries: Kezie Apps (adductor) - pre-match
Match Highlights: Australia v Papua New Guinea
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
The main takeaways
- After leading by just two points at half-time, the Kiwi Ferns rallied in the second half to defeat the tournament hosts 20-6 and book their place in the World Cup Final at Old Trafford on Sunday.
- The Ferns will go head-to-head with their Trans-Tasman rivals, Brad Donald's Jillaroos, who they lost to just four days ago in Round 3 of the group stage.
- However, Ricky Henry's side should head into Sunday's final with plenty of confidence after his side produced some brilliant moments in attack against the fired-up Lionesses.
- England may have lost but they have come a long way in five years after a 52-4 thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup semi-final.
Star performers
World Cup rookie Mele Hufanga was sensational for the Ferns. The rugby union convert's 80-minute performance included a try, 13 tackle breaks and 185 run metres from 15 hit-ups. Meanwhile, Gold Coast star Apii Nicholls' second-half blitz was key to New Zealand's late charge to the final. The explosive fullback was everywhere, running for 237 metres off 21 runs in an incredible semi-final performance. Lock Jodie Cunningham ripped in for England with 180 run metres and 28 tackles while fullback Francesca Goldthorp made 116 metres and had seven tackle breaks.
Hufanga immense for Kiwi Ferns
Recap
- Match report: Kiwi Ferns beat England to move into Cup final
- Key injuries: Courtney Winfield-Hill (head knock)
Match Highlights: England v New Zealand