Hey folks! Big news in the world of rugby! The Jillaroos’ incredible winning streak against New Zealand has finally been broken. After seven long years and seven consecutive victories, the Jillaroos were defeated by the Ferns in a thrilling Pacific Championships clash in Melbourne. It was a close match, with the Kiwis securing a 12-6 victory with just seven minutes left on the clock. Talk about a nail-biter!
The rookie Kiwi winger, Leianne Tufuga, made her mark by scoring her first international try, which turned out to be the match-winner. The game was deadlocked at 6-6 until Tufuga’s fantastic effort put the Ferns in the lead. And let’s not forget the crucial conversion by the veteran halfback, Raecene McGregor. The crowd went wild!
This loss is a big blow for the Jillaroos, who hadn’t tasted defeat against their trans-Tasman rivals since 2016. They were on an impressive winning streak of 15 matches against all-comers. But hey, every winning streak has to come to an end at some point, right?
The Ferns were fired up after their narrow 16-10 loss in their first Pacific Championships match in Townsville. They knew they had a chance to turn the tables, and boy, did they seize it! Even though they didn’t get to play a final or a third Test, they finished level on points differential with the Jillaroos. Talk about a close contest!
The match had its fair share of drama too. Mele Hufanga, who scored a try for the Ferns in the first half, was forced off the field due to a head injury assessment. It looked like the Kiwis might struggle without her, but Tufuga’s heroics saved the day.
Now, let’s talk about the game itself. The Jillaroos had a strong start, with their winger Jaime Chapman crossing the line in the ninth minute. The Kiwi defence was caught off guard, and Chapman took full advantage. But wait, there’s more! Tamika Upton, the Dally M Medallist, thought she had scored Australia’s second try, but the bunker ruled that she had lost the ball. Tough luck!
Both teams were desperate to score, and the tension was palpable. Tiana Davison made a brilliant play by stripping the ball from Australian captain Ali Brigginshaw early in the tackle count. And here’s the kicker: the Kiwis decided to run the ball on the last tackle, and Mele Hufanga, the Brisbane centre who has also represented Tonga in rugby union, bulldozed her way to the try line. The scores were level at 6-6 at halftime, and the stage was set for an epic showdown.
Unfortunately for the Jillaroos, their attack was uncharacteristically poor throughout the match, with a completion rate of only 53 percent. They couldn’t find a late try to level the scores, and the Ferns emerged victorious.
To add to the drama, three Jillaroos players – Jess Sergis, Kezie Apps, and Olivia Kernick – were put on report. It was a tough night for the Australian team.
So, there you have it, folks. The Jillaroos’ incredible winning streak has finally come to an end. It was a hard-fought battle, but the Ferns emerged as the victors. Hats off to both teams for putting on a thrilling show. Rugby fans around the world will be talking about this match for days to come!