Kiwi Ferns survive Fiji scare to open World Cup with win
New Zealand survived a major fright to beat Fiji 18-12 in Newcastle in their opening game of the Women's Rugby League World Cup.
The Kiwi Ferns — the nickname for New Zealand's women — had to come from behind against World Cup debutants Fiji Bulikula. They trailed 12-4 and then 12-10 at half-time at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday 18 October BBC Sport.
That half-time deficit was historic. According to BBC Sport, it was the first time New Zealand's women had ever been behind at the break in a World Cup match. They arrived at this tournament with a remarkable record, having reached the final of all six previous Women's Rugby League World Cups, winning the first three and finishing runners-up to Australia in the next three.
It started so simply for the favourites. Stacey Waaka touched down after only two minutes to put New Zealand 4-0 ahead. A try, worth four points in rugby league, is scored by grounding the ball over the try-line.
Fiji did not fold. Losana Lutu crashed over for Fiji's first ever women's World Cup try. Then, with captain Sereana Naitokatoka leading from the front, Sienna Laing added a second try to stretch the lead to 12-4.
Waaka struck again before half-time. Her second try cut the gap to 12-10 and kept New Zealand within touching distance.
The second half became an arm wrestle. No more tries flowed for a long stretch. Instead, Zehara Temara took over with the boot, landing penalties — shots at goal given after infringements — first to level the scores and then to edge New Zealand ahead.
Fiji kept coming. They stayed in the fight deep into the second half and refused to let the game get away.
The clincher came in the final minutes. Raecene McGregor hoisted a cross-field kick, a long, angled kick towards the touchline, and Leianne Tufuga collected it to score and seal the 18-12 win.
New Zealand coach Ricky Henry called the escape a wake-up call, reported by BBC Sport.
What makes this stand out is the context. For newcomers, New Zealand and Australia have long set the standard in this competition. To see debutants push the Kiwi Ferns so hard, so early, says plenty about Fiji's courage and the tournament's growing depth.
New Zealand stay in Group B and next face France in Christchurch. Fiji meet Papua New Guinea next, with that all-Pacific clash scheduled for Saturday 24 October.
