Women’s rugby league: Australia beats New Zealand 34-10
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Al Jazeera
Australia won the Women’s Rugby League World Cup final 34-10 against New Zealand, the national team’s fourth consecutive title. According to Al Jazeera, winger Jaime Chapman scored a hat-trick, and the Australians led 34-6 at half-time, taking advantage of New Zealand’s errors.
Australia took control of the match from the opening minutes and led 34-6 at half-time, with six tries scored before the break. Winger Jaime Chapman scored a hat-trick, her 11th try of the tournament, while the errors of the Kiwi Ferns regularly gave the Jillaroos chances, Al Jazeera reports.
The Australians did not score again after the break, as the damp conditions in Brisbane encouraged mistakes and slowed the pace. They nonetheless held on to their lead to secure a fourth consecutive world title. Australia had already beaten New Zealand in the three previous finals won by the Jillaroos.
New Zealand had won the tournaments in 2000, 2003 and 2008, before Australia’s run of four titles. The Kiwi Ferns had won only one of their last twelve tests against the Jillaroos since 2017, according to Al Jazeera.
Australian captain Isabelle Kelly, now a three-time world champion, praised the rivalry between the two teams. Her New Zealand counterpart, Raecene McGregor, said her side needed to regain its level after this defeat.
