Tamika Upton of Australia tackled by Gayle Broughton of New Zealand and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa of New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Kiwi Ferns v Australia Jillaroos
Kickoff: 3:50pm, Sunday 10th November
CommBank Stadium - Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
In a fierce trans-Tasman match up that's become as closely contested than the men's version, the Kiwi Ferns take on arch rivals the Jillaroos in the Women's Pacific Championship final this afternoon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
Redemption will be on the Kiwi Ferns' minds after going down 14-0 in a hard fought match in Christchurch a couple of weeks ago where the Ferns never quite clicked on attack but showed plenty of might on defence.
The Ferns will be aiming to defend their historic 2023 Pacific Championship title that finally ended a seven-year streak of losses to Australia, with the potential of back to back titles truly putting them in the conversation to be the number one ranked women's team in the international game right now.
Here's a look at the teams:
Kiwi Ferns: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Abigail Roache 5. Shanice Parke 6. Gayle Broughton 7. Tyla King 8. Brianna Clark 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 11. Anessa Biddle 12. Amber Hall 13. Georgia Hale (C)
Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Najvada George 16. Alexis Tauaneai 17. Otesa Pule
Jillaroos: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani 5. Jakiya Whitfeld 6. Ali Brigginshaw (C) 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Shannon Mato 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Simaima Taufa
Interchange: 14. Keeley Davis 15. Sarah Togatuki 16. Keiler Joseph 17. Mahalia Murphy
Brooke Anderson of the Kiwi Ferns. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Kiwis Ferns selections
Star Kiwis fullback Apii Nicholls finds herself back in the starting lineup after being rested last week when the Ferns played PNG. Shanice Parker shifts from the number 1 jersey back onto the wing, while Najvada George and Alexis Tauaneai move to the bench in a swap with Annessa Biddle and Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa.
Jillaroos selections
The Jillaroos only make one change from their last hit out against the Kiwi Ferns: Jessica Sergis drops out of the squad into 18th man with Keeley Davis being named on the bench.
Past results
Kiwi Ferns 0 - 14 Jillaroos
Kiwi Ferns 12 - 6 Jillaroos
The Kiwi Ferns defied the odds last year when they finally got one over Australia for the first time in seven long years, upsetting them in a shock 12-6 win at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Australia finally crumbled to a resilient Kiwi Ferns outfit who displayed tremendous discipline on defence. Unfortunately, reality came crashing home for the Ferns down in Christchurch a fortnight ago as Australia ground out an ugly 14-0 victory.
Prediction
Kiwi Ferns try celebrations. Papua New Guinea Orchids v Kiwi Ferns, Pacific Championships test match. Photo: NRL Photos
History shows an iconic back-and-forth battle between these two proud rugby league nations. The Kiwi Ferns were absolutely rampant in their early years, winning the first three Women's Rugby League World Cups, but then the tide well and truly turned in the Jillaroos' favour in 2013, when Australia finally won its first of three consecutive World Cups.
Bragging rights are well and truly on the line for both countries. While Australia comes in heavy favourites they will be wary after last year's shock defeat in the final against the Ferns. If New Zealand can pip the Jillaroos at the post again by applying pressure through resilient defence, making sure they can capitalise off good offence and Australian mistakes - they could find themselves back on top of the world.
