'Wonderful to see in motion': Jillaroos speedster Tamika Upton stars in gritty win over New Zealand
Updated . First published at
Australia have produced a gritty victory over fierce rivals New Zealand to book a spot in the women's Pacific Championships final.
In front of a solid crowd in Christchurch, it was the speed of Tamika Upton that broke the game wide-open in the second half to secure the 14-0 win.
The 27-year-old scored a try, made two linebreaks and finished with close to 150 run metres as the green and gold held off a spirited Kiwi Ferns outfit.
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New Zealand's defence hung tough in the early stages, with Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott unable to score despite getting over the line twice in quick succession.
"Are you surprised it was Georgia Hale under there? She is an absolute tackling machine," Ruan Sims said on the Nine broadcast.
"This goal-line defence has just been turning up."
The deadlock was finally broken just before the half-time break as star centre Tiana Penitani barged over following a reshuffle to the Jillaroos spine.
Watch the 2024 Pacific Championships on Nine and 9Now.
Australia suffered a blow early in the second stanza when Kezie Apps was spotted limping, before the co-captain was forced from the field with an ankle injury.
The continued desperation shown by the Kiwis kept their hopes alive deep into the contest, with Simaima Taufa denied by the Bunker after a last-ditch tackle.
Simaima Taufa was denied by the Bunker. Nine
Errors continued to creep into the game for both sides heading into the final 20 minutes, but it was the Aussies who took advantage through Upton.
The fullback exploited some rare lazy defence from the Ferns and pounced with ease.
"It's wonderful seeing a try-scorer in motion," Brad Fittler said on Nine.
"There wasn't much on, just a little bit of space and she backed her speed.
"You know that any time she comes near the white strip, she just finds it."
The injury woes continued for the Jillaroos in the second half when Olivia Higgins had suffered a "badly broken arm" according to skipper Ali Brigginshaw, who was arguing with on-field referee Liam Kennedy to stop play.
Higgins left the field but passed a fitness test and was cleared of serious injury, with coach Brad Donald confirming the No.9 was asking to be placed back in the action.
"It looks like Liv might have dislocated her wrist at some point but it popped back in," he said post-match.
"She was asking to go back on, as was Kezie. They were both pretty keen to get back out there so pretty good signs there."
Jessica Sergis dives over for a try. Getty
Upton weaved her magic again in the 55th minute, breaking through the middle of the field and giving the Jillaroos a good-ball opportunity that Jess Sergis turned into points to put the icing on the cake and seal the result.
"The first half was definitely an arm wrestle ... it was one of the toughest games of the year for sure," Millie Elliott told Nine after earning Player of the Match honours.
New Zealand will take on Papua New Guinea next weekend, with the winner through to face the Jillaroos on November 10.
