NEW ZEALAND 18 FIJI 12
JOHN DAVIDSON, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, Sunday

NEW ZEALAND narrowly avoided a stunning upset, fighting back to edge Fiji in a thriller.

The Kiwi Ferns came from 12-4 behind in the first half to tie the game up late in the second, before Leianne Tufuga touched down for the winner with two minutes left.

It was a bitter blow for Fiji, who battled bravely against one of the women’s game’s powerhouses on their World Cup debut, but came away with nothing.

There was no sign of the contest to come when New Zealand dominated early field position early and a shift to the left put Stacey Waaka in space to get the opening try after just three minutes.

Zahara Temara was unable to add the extras from out wide and a series of errors from both sides punctuated the play next, as neither side could keep hold of the ball.

The Kiwi Ferns gave away back-to-back penalties, heaping more pressure on their own try-line, but Leilani Ahsam knocked on and the opportunity was gone.

However with 13 minutes left in the half a try finally came for Fiji. Serena Naitokatoka picked up the ball from dummy-half and ran, catching New Zealand’s defence napping and putting Losana Lutu over for the four-pointer.

Naitokatoka converted it from right in front, pushing her side 6-4 ahead.

Fiji were riding a wave and Lutu created the next try. The halfback dinked in a grubber behind and Sienna Laing got a foot to it, regathered and touched down in style.

Luisa Yaranamua this time added the extras, putting the Bulikula into a stunning 12-4 lead.

This spurred the Kiwi Ferns into action though and they quickly hit back.

Mele Hufanga found space on the left, drew a defender and put Waaka over for her second score, and Temara’s successful conversion cut the gap to 12-8 at half-time.

In the second half New Zealand started like a team possessed, desperate to fight their way back into the contest and forcing a goalline drop out but unable to find a third try.

The game was interrupted when Fiji forward Tamika Jones suffered an arm injury and left the field in a sling.

The Kiwi Ferns kept dropping the ball as the minutes ticked away, and the impressive Bulikula refused to lie down.

Finally New Zealand levelled in the 55th minute, receiving a penalty in the 55th minute for a dangerous tackle which Temara knocked over to tie the game up.

The tension grew and Fiji went close to a winner. They were awarded a penalty with 14 minutes left after a high tackle and decided to not kick for a goal, forcing a drop-out and then another penalty, this time right in front – but somehow Naitokatoka missed her kick.

It was costly as, with five minutes left, New Zealand were given a penalty at the other end and Temara nailed it.

Then Tufuga crossed after a neat chip kick to her wing to seal the victory.

GAMESTAR: Losana Lutu was brilliant for Fiji in the halves, directing play and creating chances with aplomb.

GAMEBREAKER: Zahara Temara landed the vital penalty-goal late that pushed her team in front.

MATCHFACTS

NEW ZEALAND
1 Apii Nicholls
2 Leianne Tufuga
3 Mele Hufanga
4 Abigail Roache
5 Stacey Waaka
6 Zahara Temara
7 Raecene McGregor
8 Otesa Pule
9 Georgia Hale
10 Shannon Mato
11 Annessa Biddle
12 Kaiyah Atai
13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Subs (all used)
14 Ashleigh Quinlan
15 Alexis Tauaneai
16 Ivana Lauitiiti
17 Brianna Clark

Tries: Waaka (3, 32), Tufuga (68)
Goals: Temara 3/5

FIJI
1 Cassie Staples
2 Maria Paseka
3 Isabella Waterman
4 Taina Naividi
5 Sienna Laing
6 Luisa Yaranamua
7 Losana Lutu
8 Latisha Smythe
9 Serena Naitokatoka
10 Leilani Ahsam
11 Elizabeth Naleba
12 Tamika Jones
13 Talei Holmes
Subs
14 Tahlia Marshall
15 Teaghan Hartigan
16 Lorren Leli
17 Nanise Vakacavu

Tries: Lutu (22), Laing (28)
Goals: Naitokatoka 1/2, Yaranamua 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 4-12, 10-12; 12-12, 14-12, 18-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
New Zealand: Stacey Waaka; Fiji: Losana Lutu

Penalty count: 7-7
Half-time: 10-12
Referee: Belinda Sharpe