Jillaroos avoid all-time upset to progress to World Cup final

Fri, 11 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Rabbitohs 10, Knights 20

Sat, 12 Sept, 4:05 pm, Final score, Warriors 16, Dolphins 26

Sat, 12 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Sharks 26, Cowboys 16

Sun, 13 Sept, 4:05 pm, Final score, Panthers 19, Roosters 12

Sat, 19 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Roosters 46, Sharks 10

Sun, 20 Sept, 4:05 pm, Final score, Warriors 10, Knights 12

Fri, 25 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Dolphins 20, Roosters 36

Sun, 27 Sept, 4:00 pm, Final score, Panthers 14, Knights 22

Sun, 4 Oct, 7:30 pm, Final score, Roosters 19, Knights 18

The Jillaroos qualified for a fifth consecutive World Cup final, overcoming an early scare to defeat Fiji 34-14.

Fiji raced out to an 8-0 first-half lead to threaten one of the sport's all-time upsets.

Australia will face New Zealand in next Sunday's decider at Lang Park.

The Jillaroos have qualified for the Rugby League World Cup final, but only after surviving an almighty scare against tournament debutant Fiji at Sydney Football Stadium.

The world champions conceded first and were level at half-time, but surged clear after the break to triumph 30-14 and avoid one of the sport's all-time upsets.

Winger Abbi Church scored four tries as the Jillaroos booked a date with New Zealand in next Sunday's final in Brisbane.

Speaking on Channel 7 at full-time, Fiji captain Sereana Naitokatoka was bristling with pride for her team, which provided one of the World Cup's great storylines in its run to the semifinals.

"I'm so proud of all my lewas [girls], they put in the hard work from the first minute of the game to the very end, and I'm very proud of them," Naitokatoka said.

After cruising through the group stage with an aggregate scoreline of 242-6, the Australians were challenged for the first time in the competition, caught off guard by a disciplined, aggressive Bulikula outfit.

A penalty goal from five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua earned Fiji a shock 11th minute lead, before the same player dummied and then slid over to provide one of the most sensational scorelines in international rugby league history.

8-0 down after 16 minutes, the Jillaroos were far from their best and clearly rattled, with their hopes of a fifth-straight World Cup final seemingly under threat.

Two unconverted tries, courtesy of Church and Tamika Upton, ensured scores were level at half-time, but the hosts reached the break having completed just 12 of their 19 sets.

An improved second-half showing saw the Jillaroos hit the front and then find some breathing space, Church striking three times after the break, including one spectacular aerial effort.

A cause for concern was the absence of star winger Jaime Chapman, who crossed early in the second period but spent much of the half off the field, struggling with what was reported as cramp.

Fiji was able to conjure a second try late on, but Maria Paseka's late four-pointer, scored after a neat short-side play, was quickly cancelled out by Church's fourth effort of the day.