Another year, another title: Jillaroos crush Kiwi Ferns in Pacific Championships final

Australia’s Jillaroos remain in a league of their own after thrashing New Zealand 40-8 to retain the Pacific Championships title at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.

It was the Jillaroos’ 23rd win in their past 24 Test matches.

Their most recent loss was against New Zealand in the corresponding game two years earlier, and the gap between the world’s best team and the rest would appear to be growing, judging by their dominant performance on Sunday.

The Kiwi Ferns entered the decider full of belief after a hard-fought 10-4 loss against the Jillaroos a week earlier, but they were unable to reproduce the same level of intensity.

The signs were ominous for New Zealand from the third minute, when Jillaroos lock Olivia Kenrick scored a soft try between the posts from 10 metres out.

Jillaroos skipper Ali Brigginshaw congratulates tryscorer Julia Robinson.Credit: Getty Images

Ten minutes later, Australian halfback Jesse Southwell produced a pinpoint cross-field kick and winger Julia Robinson caught cleanly to score.

Trailing 12-0, the Kiwi Ferns suffered a crushing setback in the 25th minute when substitute Ashleigh Quinlan was sin-binned for a professional foul.

Within seconds, Australia’s Keilee Joseph strolled through a yawning gap to score.

Seven minutes later, a runaway try from Jessica Sergis left New Zealand pondering a 24-0 deficit at the half-time interval.

The Kiwi Ferns gave themselves a brief glimmer of hope with a Shanice Parker try five minutes into the second half, but it didn’t last long.

New Zealand’s Apii Nicholls is tackled by Australia’s Isabelle Kelly.Credit: Getty Images

Nine minutes later, dynamic fullback Tamika Upton sliced through the defensive line in trademark fashion to post her seventh try in six Test appearances.

Kiwi Ferns winger Tysha Ikenasio earned a cheer from Kiwi supporters in the 51st minute when she produced a classy finish to score in the corner.

New Zealand lost another player to the sin bin in the 60th minute when forward Ivana Lauitiiti was marched for a hip-drop tackle on Jillaroos hooker Olivia Higgins.

Aussie prop Ellie Johnston crashed over to score soon after the opposition were reduced to 12.

Australia iced the win when Robinson dived over in the corner for her second try of the game.

Southwell’s conversion attempt bounced off the crossbar, denying her a perfect record of seven goals from seven attempts.

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