Abbi Church scores four tries as Jillaroos overcome almighty Fiji World Cup scare
The Jillaroos survived a major scare against Fiji to reach the World Cup final, with winger Abbi Church going berserk in the win.
The Jillaroos have set up a trans-Tasman World Cup final showdown but only after they survived an almighty scare from Fiji who have unearthed a future NRLW star.
Australia trailed early but kicked clear to win 30-14 in their closest game of the tournament a week after they scored a world record 124 points against Wales.
They were sloppy in the first half and were rattled by Fiji’s physicality before they finally clicked into gear with winger Abbi Church delivering a Sunday sermon with four tries.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.She got the Aussies on the board in the 24th minute as the back three combined for all six tries.
Tamika Upton and Jaime Chapman both crossed the line, but this was Church’s time to shine as she completed her hat-trick before she put the icing on top with a stunning 78-metre kick return as the sun set on Fiji’s World Cup.
The Jillaroos will be raging favourites to beat the Kiwi Ferns in Sunday’s final given they smashed them by 50 in the World Cup decider four years ago.
But this has to be a wake-up call for them because New Zealand will bring the physicality through the middle and have the talent in the spine to score points.
WHAT A START
The Washington Generals would have been given more of a chance of beating the Harlem Globetrotters than Fiji had of knocking over the Jillaroos.
But the upset of the century was on the cards right up until half-time as Fiji threw the form book out the window.
They took it to Australia from the opening whistle with a number of Jillaroos stars whacked as the tournament favourites coughed up the ball eight times in the first half.
It allowed Fiji to dominate field position which saw Talei Holmes held up over the line before the underdogs opened the scoring via a penalty goal.
Allianz Stadium was then stunned after 15 minutes when five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua caught the defence napping from dummy-half to make it 8-0.
Yaranamua must be on the radar of NRLW sides after she peppered the back three with towering bombs and set up Fiji’s second try with a glorious cut-out pass.
She was the second best player on the field, but Fiji just lacked the attacking class to turn half chances into points as the Aussies kicked away late.
Originally published as Abbi Church scores four tries as Jillaroos overcome almighty Fiji World Cup scare
