Abbi Church starred on debut after filling in for superstar Tamika Upton as the Jillaroos held off a brave Kiwi Ferns side 10-4 in a Pacific Championships thriller at Eden Park.
Church was a late inclusion at fullback for the injured Upton, but finished with 161 run metres, a tackle bust and the match winning try in the second half.
Jessica Sergis was also excellent for the visitors with 63 run metres, six tackle busts, an offload, a linebreak, nine tackles and the first try of the afternoon.
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MATCH CENTRE: Kiwi Ferns vs Australia Jillaroos teams, scores, videos, updates
The Jillaroos copped an early blow with Keeley Davis leaving the field with a shoulder injury in just the second minute, with Quincy Dodd replacing her in jersey No.14.
Both sides threw everything at each other in an enthralling first half-hour before replacement fullback Abbi Church denied New Zealand star Apii Nicholls the first try with a desperation play.
Australia finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when winger Sergis showed her class and strength to barge over for the first try of the game.
Tiana Penitani Gray got a quick play the ball, with Church darting to the short-side before finding Sergis, who brushed off multiple defenders to dot down in the corner and the Jillaroos held a 6-0 advantage into the break.
Church picked up where she left off in the second half of an impressive debut by scoring to give the Jillaroos a 10-0 lead.
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Playmaker Jesse Southwell produced a pinpoint grubber, with Nicholls putting her body on the line before spilling the ball and Church was on the spot to make her pay.
However, the Kiwi Ferns hit back with Annessa Biddle making the Jillaroos rue a lapse in concentration.
Australia were caught ball watching and looked to the referee after play broke down, before Biddle took off to run 70 metres and hold off Ali Brigginshaw for a stunning try to make it 10-4.
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Abigail Roache nearly pulled off a miracle try to square the scores, but replays showed she dotted down on the dead ball line, as the Jillaroos survived a massive scare.
In a late blow Kiwi Ferns winger Leianne Tufuga left the field for a HIA as the hosts tried desperately to tie up the game.
Grand final hero Mele Hufanga found space down the left edge, but her pass went behind Biddle in a huge missed opportunity for the Kiwi Ferns.
New Zealand were brave, but Church’s try on debut proved the difference as the Jillaroos held on to remain undefeated heading into next week’s final against the same team.
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