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Match Report

Aiken all class as Jillaroos reign supreme in Cup final

Author
Martin Lenehan NRL Senior Journalist
Timestamp
Martin Lenehan

The brilliance of Tarryn Aiken and the brutality of their defence led the Jillaroos to a 24-4 win over the Kiwi Ferns in Sunday's Pacific Cup final at CommBank Stadium.

The victory avenged a 12-6 loss to the Kiwi Ferns in last year's final and rounded out a dominant month in which the Jillaroos outscored their Pacific Championships rivals to the tune of 122-4.

On the back of a high-quality opening which saw no penalties and no errors in the first nine minutes it was the Jillaroos striking the first blow when slick hands to the right edge put Julia Robinson over for a 4-0 lead.

The game's opening penalty in the 11th minute for Amber Hall slowing down the play the ball gave the Jillaroos more field position but a mistake by Millie Elliott brought the move unstuck.

Isabelle Kelly Try

The Jillaroos extended their lead in the 16th minute when Aiken and Tamika Upton handled before Isabelle Kelly produced a huge fend on Abigail Roache to cross for her third try of the tournament.

The Kiwi Ferns lifted their intensity late in the half and came close to opening their account but strong goal line defence by the Jillaroos denied them before a 40-30 by Ali Brigginshaw marched her side down field and Tiana Penitani powered over for a 12-0 lead.

Eight minutes into the second half the Jillaroos went up 18-0 when Upton grubbered ahead and regained her own kick to score after a fumble by Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls.

Biddle stops Mato in her tracks

Player of the match Aiken then put the game out of reach with a slick solo try from close range to make it 24-0 with 21 minutes to play.

A clever grubber by Gayle Broughton earned the Kiwi Ferns a repeat set but a poor option by Nicholls in the ensuing set allowed the Jillaroos to come away.

An intercept by Mele Hufanga with six minutes to play looked like the drought breaker for the Kiwi Ferns but Kezie Apps came up with a superb chase to reel her in before a try to Leianne Tufuga with 90 seconds to play ensured New Zealand would avoid a whitewash.

Match Snapshot

  • Jillaroos lock Simaima Taufa left the field in the 20th minute for a HIA. She was deemed a Category 2 head knock and returned to the field before half-time.
  • Shannon Mato laid the foundation for the Jillaroos with 103 metres from 13 runs in her opening 24-minute stint.
  • Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw came up with a 40-30 in the 31st minute.

A flying Apps chases down Hufanga

  • Jillaroos halfback Tarryn Aiken came up with one try, one try assist, two line break assists, one line break and five tackle breaks.
  • Kiwi Ferns back-rower Annessa Biddle was taken from the field for a HIA in the 60th minute after copping a knock when she went low in a tackle. She was deemed a Category 2.
  • Props Millie Elliott and Shannon Mato combined for 28 runs and 271 metres.

Tiana Penitani Try

  • Kiwi Ferns captain Georgia Hale made her 20th Test appearance while Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw won her 25th cap.
  • Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly has scored eight tries in 10 Tests against the Kiwi Ferns.
  • The Jillaroos produced six line breaks to the Kiwi Ferns' two.
  • Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson ran for 182 metres while centre Isabelle Kelly racked up 200 run metres.
  • The Jillaroos have won nine of their past 10 Tests against the Kiwi Ferns.

Julia Robinson Try

Play of the Game

Brigginshaw nails a 40/30

What They Said

Jillaroos: Week 4

Kiwi Ferns: Week 4

From the Field: Kezzie Apps

From the Field: Tamika Upton

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.