Jillaroos crush Kiwi Ferns in Pacific Championships final
Australia’s Jillaroos remain in their league after defeating New Zealand 40-8 to retain their Pacific Championship title at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
This was the Jillaroos’ 23rd win in their last 24 Test matches.
They last lost against New Zealand in the same match two years ago, and judging by their dominant performance on Sunday, the gap between the world’s best team and the rest appears to be widening.
The Kiwi Ferns went into the decider full of belief after a tough 10-4 defeat to the Jillaroos a week earlier, but they were unable to reproduce the same level of intensity.
The signs were ominous for New Zealand in the third minute as Jillaroos lock Olivia Kenrick curled a soft try between the posts from 10 meters out.
Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw congratulates striker Julia Robinson.Credit: Getty Images
Ten minutes later, Australian halfback Jesse Southwell took a pinpoint shot and winger Julia Robinson managed to score cleanly.
Trailing 12-0, the Kiwi Ferns suffered a crushing defeat when substitute Ashleigh Quinlan was sin-binned for a professional foul in the 25th minute.
Australia’s Keilee Joseph scored within seconds, slotting wide.
