Church's four tries see Australia survive Fiji scare into World Cup final

Australia needed a second-half rally to see off a spirited Fiji challenge, winning their World Cup semi-final 30-14 at Sydney Football Stadium to set up a decider against New Zealand.

Abbi Church was the difference, crossing four times to take her tournament tally to eight tries in four matches, Yahoo Sports reported. Jaime Chapman and Tyla Upton also scored for the Jillaroos, with Tamika Kelleher adding three goals.

Fiji, appearing at their first Women's World Cup, matched Australia for long stretches and were level at half-time. Luisa Yaranamua and Litia Paseka crossed for the Bulikula, with Yaranamua converting three.

Australia had cruised through their group fixtures, but Fiji's physicality and ambition threatened one of the sport's great upsets before order was restored. The Jillaroos trailed for the first time in the tournament, becoming the only side to open the scoring against Australia since New Zealand managed it in the 2013 World Cup final.

Yaranamua, just 23 and yet to feature in an NRLW match, drove much of Fiji's resistance from the halves, Guardian Rugby League reported. An early shoulder shot from the playmaker on Tiana Penitani Gray set the tone, while Fiji dominated general play in the opening ten minutes. Backrower Talei Holmes looked certain to score inside the first three minutes before being held up by Jess Sergis.

The Fijian spine carried heavy NRLW pedigree, with Wests Tigers' Losana Lutu at halfback, Cronulla's Cassie Staples at fullback and Canberra hooker Sereana Naitokatoka captaining the side. Church's own turning-point try came from a Tarryn Aiken kick, a spectacular finish in a more composed Australian second-half performance, before the winger added a late runaway score to settle the contest.

Australia captain Isabelle Kelly praised the Fijians' performance after the match. "They're the games you want to play," she said, as quoted by Yahoo Sports. "When you have those close games, it shows the character within the girls that are out there and in the battles."

Kelly added credit for the opposition's achievement. "You have got to give full respect to the Fijians, they were incredible," she said. "What they've been able to do to come together to create such a special occasion for them, but also what they showcased out of the field was very good, very physical. They were amazing."

Fiji's tournament debut included tears during their anthem and a pre-match hymn before kick-off, and their run featured another tight defeat to New Zealand earlier in the competition, going down 18-12. That result and the narrow loss to Australia point to genuine strength building beneath the Jillaroos at the top of the women's international game, the Guardian suggested.

Australia's win was not without cost. Winger Jaime Chapman was forced off with a quad injury after scoring her try, leaving a fitness question mark over the Jillaroos ahead of the final.

Australia will face New Zealand at Lang Park in Brisbane next Sunday, kicking off at 05:10 GMT, as they chase a fourth consecutive World Cup title and fifth straight final appearance, BBC Rugby League reported.