AUSTRALIA 34 NEW ZEALAND 10
CALLUM WALKER, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Sunday

JAIME CHAPMAN scored a brilliant hat-trick as Australia made it four World Cup triumphs in a row with a comprehensive victory over New Zealand.

The Ferns simply couldn’t live with the power and pace of the Jillaroos as Australia racked up an impressive 34-6 half-time lead before consolidating that lead with outstanding defence in the second-half to ensure New Zealand had no hope.

Jesse Southwell replaced Jocelyn Kelleher in the halves for the Jillaroos whilst New Zealand were unchanged from the win over Samoa.

The writing was on the wall from the opening exchanges as the Ferns made a costly error inside two minutes that went punished when Chapman demonstrated extraordinary strength to carry four New Zealand tacklers over the line. Jesse Southwell converted for a 6-0 lead.

And, the Brisbane Broncos halfback was on target moments later, too, as Tarryn Aiken’s inside pass handed Shaylee Bent just enough space to canter through a hole.

12-0 down and things were looking ominous for Ricky Henry’s side – and they weren’t about to get any better either with Chapman running riot.

A loose ball was pounced upon by Isabelle Kelly before it found its way to the onrushing Chapman who flew salmon-style over the whitewash. Southwell converted to make it 18-0 after just 16 minutes.

There was little hope of stemming the Jillaroos’ momentum as Jess Skinner’s side continued to turn the screw in emphatic fashion.

With nothing on inside her own half, Jessica Sergis ran through lacklustre New Zealand defence, sprinted 20 metres and then rounded Ferns’ fullback Apii Nicholls with ease for a scintillating 70-metre score.

Southwell was on target again, with the Ferns finally hit back on 24 minutes. For the first time, Australia’s defence looked vulnerable, and a neat shimmy and bullet pass from Georgia Hale enabled Shannon Mato to crash over next to the posts.

Chantay Kiria-Ratu converted, but that was as good as it got for New Zealand in the first-half with Australia registering a further two four-pointers before the break.

Before the half-hour had even been struck, Chapman had her hat-trick. Like Sergis earlier, there looked to be nothing on for Chapman as she took in a strong carry.

However, the Gold Coast Titans flyer broke through and stepped out of two would-be tacklers to accelerate home from halfway. Southwell, for the first time, couldn’t convert, but the Jillaroos were now 28-6 up.

And, they weren’t finished there for the first-half, either. Just to hammer home their advantage, Australia crossed the line once more on 33 minutes, Tamika Upton playing a stellar one-two with Abbi Church down the right edge.

Southwell made it 34-6 at half-time, effectively sealing the World Cup win before a ball had even been kicked in the second-half.

As it was, the Jillaroos somewhat relaxed as New Zealand refused to lie down. And they were rewarded for their efforts in the latter stages, Mackenzie Wiki dotting down after Kelly had dropped the ball on her own whitewash.

Kiria-Ratu couldn’t convert, but it mattered little as the Jillaroos were crowned deserved winners.

GAMESTAR: Jaime Chapman scored a hat-trick and was a thorn in New Zealand’s side all night.

GAMEBREAKER: Two Australia tries in the opening six minutes shocked the Ferns – and they could never recover.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Jessica Sergis’ 70-metre score was a joy to behold.

MATCHFACTS

AUSTRALIA
1 Tamika Upton
2 Jaime Chapman
3 Jessica Sergis
4 Isabelle Kelly
5 Abbi Church
6 Jesse Southwell
7 Tarryn Aiken
8 Millie Elliott
9 Olivia Higgins
10 Simaima Taufa
11 Tiana Penitani Gray
12 Shaylee Bent
13 Olivia Kernick
Subs
14 Keeley Nizza
15 Keilee Joseph
16 Kezie Apps
17 Sariah Paki

Tries: Chapman (3, 15, 29), Bent (6), Segis (19), Upton (33)
Goals: Southwell 5/6

NEW ZEALAND
1 Apii Nicholls
2 Leianne Tufuga
3 Mele Hufanga
4 Stacey Waaka
5 Mackenzie Wiki
6 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
7 Raecene McGregor
8 Alexis Tauaneai
9 Georgia Hale
10 Otesa Pule
11 Shaniece Monschau
12 Kaiyah Atai
13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Subs
14 Ashleigh Quinlan
15 Annessa Biddle
16 Shannon Mato
17 Ivana Lauitiiti

Tries: Mato (24), Wiki (70)
Goals: Kiria-Ratu 1/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 24-6, 28-6, 34-6; 34-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Australia: Jaime Chapman; New Zealand: Georgia Hale

Penalty count: 4-8
Half-time: 34-6
Referee: Belinda Sharpe