Church hat-trick plus one sees Australia edge past brave Fiji into final

Australia needed a four-try haul from winger Abbi Church to see off a determined Fiji side and book their place in a fifth consecutive Women's Rugby League World Cup final, winning 30-14 at Sydney Football Stadium.

The Jillaroos, chasing a fourth straight world title, will face New Zealand in the final at Lang Park in Brisbane next Sunday, with kick-off at 05:10 GMT, according to BBC Rugby League.

Fiji, appearing at their first Women's World Cup, had already rattled New Zealand in their opening match before going down 18-12, and they carried that momentum into the semi-final against the tournament favourites.

The debutants became the first side to score first against Australia at a World Cup since New Zealand managed it in the 2013 final, with the Jillaroos trailing at this tournament for the first time, BBC Rugby League reported.

Fiji's early pressure forced uncharacteristic errors from the Australians, and after 12 minutes Simaima Taufa conceded a penalty under the posts, with Fiji choosing to kick for the two points rather than go for the try.

According to Guardian Rugby League, Fiji were level with Australia at half-time, driven by playmaker Luisa Yaranamua, a 23-year-old yet to feature in an NRLW match, whose unpredictable running game unsettled the Jillaroos' defensive line.

Church's second-half scoring burst eventually broke the deadlock, including what the Guardian described as a spectacular finish from a Tarryn Aiken kick, before she added a late runaway try to put the result beyond doubt.

Tamika Upton and Jaime Chapman also crossed for Australia, with Jocelyn Kelleher converting three goals, as the hosts found the composure in the second half that had been missing in the first.

Chapman's involvement in the final is now in doubt after she was taken off with a quad injury having scored her try, the Guardian reported, leaving a selection question for the Jillaroos ahead of the showpiece match.

Fiji's players were reported by the Guardian to have had tears running down their faces during their anthem and to have performed a hymn before kick-off, underlining the emotional significance of the occasion for the Bulikula.

Their World Cup campaign ends with two narrow defeats to the sport's leading nations, having also pushed the Kiwi Ferns close earlier in the tournament, a showing the Guardian said demonstrated the growing depth of the women's international game beyond Australia's long dominance.

Australia now turn their attention to a fifth straight final appearance, with New Zealand standing in the way of a fourth consecutive world title when the two sides meet at Lang Park next Sunday.