Upton stars as Jillaroos banish Kiwi Ferns demons

[Pelican Press 0]

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Upton stars as Jillaroos banish Kiwi Ferns demons

Australia has booked their spot in the Pacific Cup final after fullback Tamika Upton starred in a 14-0 defeat of New Zealand in Christchurch.

Already under pressure from their loss to the Kiwi Ferns in last year’s Pacific Cup final and a handful of controversial selection choices since, the Jillaroos were made to overcome second-half injuries to Kezie Apps and Olivia Higgins on Sunday.

But Upton’s attacking brilliance proved the difference between the sides, despite New Zealand being the better starters and holding firm on their goal line for long stretches.

Australia will meet the winner of New Zealand and PNG in the Pacific Cup final in Sydney on November 10.

After a scoreless first half hour at a chilly Apollo Projects Stadium, Upton forced the first of two consecutive line dropouts that finally helped the Jillaroos break the Kiwi wall.

On the back of sustained pressure, veteran Ali Brigginshaw sent Tiana Penitani over with a flat ball down the right side, where the Jillaroos had looked their most dangerous.

The Kiwi Ferns continued their stoic defence into the second half, with Annessa Biddle making a try-saving tackle on Simaima Taufa as the Canberra wrecking ball charged to the line.

But Upton soon took matters into her own hands. The 2023 Dally M Medallist spied a gap between New Zealand captain Georgia Hale and Ash Quinlan before lunging over with a burst of speed.

The Jillaroos appeared to close in on victory when Jess Sergis burst over down the right side on the back of an Upton line break as the final 15 minutes approached.

Higgins’ arm became caught awkwardly in a tackle on Kiwi Ferns prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa in the second half, with support staff rushing onto the field to assist her during a stoppage.

The injury could force the Jillaroos to name their third-choice ******* Keeley Davis for the Pacific Cup final if Higgins is unavailable and Quincy Dodd cannot recover from her quadriceps issue in time.

Jillaroos second-rower Kezie Apps left the field with an injury to her left foot early in the second half but returned for the final minutes with strapping on the area.

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