2026 Women’s Rugby League: Australia Beat Fiji 30-14 in Semi
Abbi Church scored four tries as Australia beat debutants Fiji 30-14 in Sydney to reach a fifth straight Women's Rugby League World Cup final. The Jillaroos trailed 8-0 and now face New Zealand in Brisbane, with an injury concern over winger Jaime Chapman.
Australia beat Fiji 30-14 at Sydney Football Stadium in the semi-final of the 2026 women's rugby league World Cup, with winger Abbi Church scoring four tries. The Jillaroos came from 8-0 down against the tournament debutants to reach a fifth successive final.
They will face New Zealand at Lang Park in Brisbane, with kick-off at 05:10 GMT. Australia are chasing a fourth consecutive title.
Fiji take the lead
Australia had won all three group games, scoring 242 points and conceding six. Fiji, known as the Bulikula, had other plans.
They dominated the first 10 minutes. After 12 minutes Simaima Taufa conceded a penalty under the posts, and Fiji took the two points.
Four minutes later they scored a try. Captain Sereana Naitokatoka stole the ball from Jaime Chapman 10 metres from the Australian line, and half-back Luisa Yaranamua scored and converted for an 8-0 lead.
Fiji became the first side since New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup final to open the scoring against Australia. It was the first time the Jillaroos had trailed at this tournament.
Church turns the game
Church drove over in the right corner to start the fightback. Tamika Upton then slipped through the defence to level the scores at 8-8.
Jocelyn Kelleher missed both conversions, so Australia went in level at half-time. They might have been behind had Upton not tipped a Fiji grubber kick behind the line.
Australia took control after the break under coach Jess Skinner. Church completed her hat-trick by catching a Tarryn Aiken kick in the corner and grounding the ball at full tilt. Chapman dived over for another try, and Kelleher landed the conversions this time.
Maria Paseka crossed late for Fiji, and Yaranamua added the goal. Church had the last word, collecting a Losana Lutu kick around 30 metres from her own line and racing clear. Yaranamua kicked three goals in all, and so did Kelleher.
What the players said
Australia captain Isabelle Kelly welcomed the test. "They're the games you want to play," she said. She added: "You have got to give full respect to the Fijians, they were incredible."
Naitokatoka was happy despite the defeat. "What a game," she said. "We just had fun, not thinking too much. Just run hard, play hard, that was our goal."
Kelly also praised Church. "Abbi is the ultimate team-mate," she said.
Injury concern and Fiji's tournament
Chapman left the field with a quad injury after scoring, giving Australia an injury concern before the final.
Fiji beat Papua New Guinea and France in the group stage. They lost 18-12 to New Zealand in their other game, having led 12-10 at half-time. Yaranamua is 23 and has yet to play an NRLW match.
New Zealand reached the final by beating Samoa 32-0 in the first semi-final in Newcastle. The Jillaroos have beaten them in the last three finals.
