Defence at the heart of historic Kiwi Ferns win

Kiwi Ferns celebrate a win over Australia in the Women’s Pacific Championships rugby league test.
Photo: Photosport

The Kiwi Ferns have beaten Australia’s Jillaroos 12-6, winning their first trans-Tasman women’s rugby league test in seven years.

Resolute defence proved the difference in the Pacific Championship Test in Melbourne for the New Zealanders, who crossed through Leianne Tufuga in the dying minutes to break the deadlock.

They reverted back into defensive mode to shut out the Jillaroos, who crossed early through Jaime Chapman but had few answers on attack, held up twice when it appeared they had scored.

New Zealand levelled before halftime through a try to Brisbane Broncos star centre Mele Hufanga, who latched onto a well-timed cutback pass from playmaker Tyla Nathan-Wong, the decorated New Zealand women’s rugby sevens star.

Kiwi Ferns players Georgia Hale (L) and Mele Hufanga celebrate after beating the Jillaroos.
Photo: Photosport

The resulted ended New Zealand’s seven-match winless run against Australia, who hadn’t loss to any team in their last 18 tests.

Captain Georgia Hale topped both the tackle count (44) and run metre count (134) for New Zealand, who completion rate was superior to the error-prone hosts.

– RNZ