New Zealand’s Amber Hall was named Player of the Match. Photo: Photosport
The Kiwi Ferns have narrowly lost to Australia in their final pool match at the women's rugby league world cup in England.
New Zealand lost 10-8, but still qualified for the semi-finals.
The Jillaroos scored first going 6-0 nil up mid way through the first half, with New Zeland then narrowing the gap to just two points with a try to Apii Nicholls who picked up a well weighted grubber kick from halfback Raecene McGregor.
Unfortunately for New Zealand Brianne Clark couldn't add the extra two points, missing the conversion from in front of the posts, to give Australia a 6-4 at halftime.
The match continued to be a seesawing affair in the second half too.
New Zealand grabbed the lead midway through the second half when centre Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly scored but Clark was again unable to convert from the touchline.
Trailing 8-6, it was the first time Australia had been behind on the scoreboard during the tournament.
The Jillaroos struck back quickly however with a try to regain the lead 10-8, which was the way it remained until the final whistle.
New Zealand prop Amber Hall was named player-of-the-match, having gained 164 run metres and 11 tackle breaks.
When the two teams went head-to-head in the 2017 World Cup final it was Australia who came out on top, 23-16.
New Zealand will now play hosts England in one semi-final while Australia will play Papua-New Guinea in the other.
-RNZ
