Kiwi Ferns pound Orchids, set up Jillaroos final clash

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Kiwi Ferns pound Orchids, set up Jillaroos final clash

New Zealand will play arch rivals Australia in the Pacific Cup women’s final after a comprehensive 36-0 win over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Sunday’s victory was highlighted by a hat-trick to winger Mackenzie Wiki on her Kiwi Ferns debut after she had previously represented Cook Islands.

The daughter of Kiwi legend Ruben Wiki showcased the blistering speed she has displayed for Canberra in the NRLW.

New Zealand are defending Pacific Cup champions after upsetting the Jillaroos in last year’s final and will attempt to hold onto their crown in Sydney on Sunday.

It is not all ***** and gloom for the PNG Orchids who will play Samoa, the winner of the Pacific Bowl, in what will be a promotion/relegation clash. The victor will play in the Pacific Cup top tier of the Pacific Championships next year.

Ferns No.6 Gayle Broughton was involved in all three first half tries against the Orchids where her passing, running and vision all came to the *****.

PNG defended with vim early and did well to restrict the Ferns to one try before a drinks break mid-way through the first half.

The Brisbane Broncos connection of Gayle Broughton and Mele Hufanga combined with precision to send winger Leianne Tufuga over.

It was the same duo involved in creating Tufuga’s second try.

Broughton ghosted across the park and put charging forward Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa in under the sticks for a 16-0 lead at halftime.

The second half belonged to Wiki who scored her tries with outstanding positional play, balance and speed.

Hufanga was a handful all afternoon and while the Orchids muscled up on her, the star centre was able to set up her supports with slick hands. A barnstorming run led to Wiki’s final try.

The hosts were brilliantly led by Parramatta prop Elsie Albert who went close to scoring on several occasions only to be denied by desperate Kiwi Ferns defence.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Kiwi #Ferns #pound #Orchids #set #Jillaroos #final #clash

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up