New Zealand avoid World Cup shock against Fiji — SkimNews
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- New Zealand came from behind to beat debutants Fiji 18-12 in their Women's Rugby League World Cup opener in Newcastle on Sunday, having trailed 12-4 before halftime.
- The Ferns were 12-10 down at the break — the first time they have ever been behind at halftime in a World Cup match — prompting coach Ricky Henry to call it a "wake-up call" and dismiss "rustiness" as an excuse.
- Stacey Waaka scored after two minutes and again before the break, but Fiji hit back through Losana Lutu (set up by skipper Sereana Naitokatoka from dummy half) and Sienna Laing to lead by eight.
- Zehara Temara's penalty kicks leveled the score and put New Zealand ahead in the second half, but the win was only sealed in the final minutes when Raecene McGregor's cross-field kick found Leianne Tufuga for the decisive try.
- Player Georgia Hale admitted the result was "luck in the end," saying New Zealand were "uncharacteristically ill-disciplined, untidy" and went "far away" from their planned physical, forward-oriented game.
- New Zealand face France next in Christchurch in Group B, while Fiji play Papua New Guinea; the Ferns have reached all six previous World Cup finals, winning the first three and losing the last three to Australia.
Why it matters: For six-time finalists New Zealand — generally considered second favourites behind Australia — this stumble against a team that had never previously played in a Women's World Cup match is a warning sign heading into the tougher Group B fixtures, and it validates Fiji's emergence as a credible newcomer on the international stage.
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