New Zealand upset Jillaroos for Women's World Cup 9s title

New Zealand have claimed the inaugural women's World Cup nines after upsetting Australia 17-15 in a thrilling final.

"Amazing. What a battle of rugby league," New Zealand skipper Honey Hireme said post-game.

"To put on such a display for women's rugBy league... I'm so proud of our girls.

"No-one bet on us and yet we proved that hard work and determination will win the World Cup.

"The message we sent out at halftime was to play as a team. When you do that you win games and that's exactly what we've done."

The Jillaroos held a slender one-point lead at halftime at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday but Onjeurlina Leiataua engineered a second-half comeback.

Leiataua gave the Kiwi Ferns the lead when she put Jules Newman over on a short-side play soon after resumption.

Australia reclaimed the lead through Corban McGregor, who went on a scorching 60m sideline run.

However, Nita Maynard got over in the closing stages and Raecene McGregor landed the pressure conversion to give New Zealand a memorable triumph.