'Panicked' Jillaroos survive major World Cup scare

2 years ago 92

The Australian Jillaroos person edged Tasman rivals the Kiwi Ferns 10-8 successful their last radical lucifer astatine the Rugby League World Cup.

Whilst the constrictive triumph secures the apical spot successful Group B for Australia, the side's error-riddled show was a acold outcry from the dominance displayed up to this constituent successful the tournament.

After outscoring its opening 2 opponents - the Cook Islands and France - by a combined full of 166-0, Australia seemed rattled successful the rematch of the 2017 World Cup final.

While conceding their archetypal points of the tournament, the Jillaroos besides struggled to flooded the aggravated New Zealand defence, completing lone 64 per cent of their sets.

Australia's tally was besides hampered by 16 errors - 10 of those successful the archetypal fractional alone.

Whilst archetypal effort scorer honours went to five-eighth Tarryn Aiken, a precocious raid from the Kiwi Ferns enactment the Jillaroos nether unit to score.

With 20 minutes near to play, New Zealand held the pb by 2 points, but a effort from winger Julia Robinson successful the 62nd infinitesimal proved the match-winner, tipping the effect to stifle an upset from the Kiwis Ferns.

Coming disconnected cruisy victories to commencement the tourney - including a 92-0 drubbing of France - Jillaroos manager Brad Donald said it was bully for his broadside to get a due contention up of the knockout stages.

"We needed that game. We'll get amended from that," helium told Fox Sports.

"We panicked a small bit.

"[The Jillaroos] looked similar they were a spot daunted by the information they hadn't scored. They conscionable needed to enactment patient.

"Our onslaught was decidedly a spot clunky with the unit the New Zealand defence enactment connected us."

New Zealand prop Amber Hall was named subordinate of the lucifer for her efforts to maximise territory.

The Jillaroos volition adjacent look satellite No.4-ranked Papua New Guinea successful the semi-finals connected Monday greeting (AEDT).

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