‘Everyone wrote us off’: Historic night as Kangaroos, Jillaroos beat Kiwis to make it four in a row

Christy Doran

Updated November 15, 2026 — 4:28pm,first published 4:08pm

4.28pm

Chapman has second; Kiwi Ferns rocked

By Christy Doran

Jamie Chapman’s in again. It’s her second try inside the opening 15 minutes of the final.

What a finish. The winger had a lot of work to do. It wasn’t a great ball, but she picked it up, sprinted eight metres and dived and scored just inside the sideline. What a player she is. It’s her 12th try of the tournament.

Southwell has another conversion, too. It’s her third of the afternoon and second from the sideline. The Jillaroos are flying.

Jillaroos 18, Kiwi Ferns 0 - 17th minute

4.20pm

Two tries in six minutes; Jillaroos’ electric start

By Christy Doran

Try! The Jillaroos are in again. They’ve gone bang bang and the Kiwi Ferns are shell-shocked.

It’s Shaylee Bent who goes over as Tarryn Aiken turns it back on the inside to the back-rower who is simply too strong and scores.

What a start indeed.

Jillaroos 12, Kiwi Ferns 0 - 7th minute

4.16pm

Jillaroos’ perfect start as Chapman scores

By Christy Doran

Try! Jaime Chapman has scored. She’s scored first tackle from the scrum reset. The Jillaroos were gifted perfect field position when Mele Hufanga coughed it up and Australia make them pay early.

What a start from the Aussies. That was Chapman’s 11th try of the tournament.

It’s slotted from out wide as Jesse Southwell bangs it over.

Jillaroos 6, Kiwi Ferns 0 - 5th minute

4.13pm

Kiwi Ferns under the pump early

By Christy Doran

The World Cup final is underway.

The Kiwi Ferns kick long and Australia are work it back off their line. It’s an impressive opening set of six as the Jillaroos make 60 metre and kick it high. The Kiwi Ferns did well to take the bomb, but Mele Hufanga’s coughed it up early in the set of six.

It’ll be a perfect chance to attack; a set of six on the 10m line.

Jillaroos 0, Kiwi Ferns 0 - 3rd minute

4.07pm

Anthems and haka done

By Christy Doran

The anthems are done. Now for the haka.

There’s a healthy crowd building for this evening’s double header.

It’s overcast and hot. It’s touching 30 degrees Celsius.

4.04pm

Teams

By Christy Doran

Here are the teams:

Jillaroos: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly (c) 5. Abbi Church 6. Jesse Southwell 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Simaima Taufa 11. Tiana Penitani 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Keeley Nizza 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Kezie Apps 17. Sariah Paki 18. Sheridan Gallagher 19. Sarah Togatuki 20. Quincy Dodd 21. Jocelyn Kelleher 22. Ellie Johnston

Kiwi Ferns: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor (c) 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale (c) 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Ash Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison

4.04pm

Jillaroos hunting fourth straight World Cup

By Christy Doran

Hello and welcome to this afternoon’s live coverage of the rugby league World Cup final from Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

I’m Christy Doran and I’ll be with you this evening. It’s a trans-Tasman double, with the Kangaroos taking on the Kiwis at 7.35pm AEDT.

Australia are hunting their fourth straight world title.

Australia were made hard to work by Fiji last weekend in the semi-final, before kicking away for a 30-14 win.

Meanwhile, New Zealand didn’t concede a point in a 32-0 romp of Samoa.

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