Jaime Chapman hat-trick fires Australia to record fourth Women's Rugby League World Cup
The Jillaroos beat New Zealand 34-10 in Brisbane, scoring six tries to one in a one-sided first 35 minutes.
Australia won a record fourth Women's Rugby League World Cup, and a fourth in a row, by beating New Zealand 34-10 in Brisbane, with Jaime Chapman scoring a hat-trick.
The final was effectively settled before the break. The Jillaroos scored six tries to the Kiwi Ferns' one in the opening 35 minutes, including an initial burst of 24 unanswered points. Chapman's second try, Australia's third, came inside 15 minutes.
Errors gift the hosts the early advantage
Australia's first three tries followed a succession of New Zealand errors and ill-discipline, which handed them good field position, along with some sluggish defending, BBC Sport reported.
Chapman opened the scoring after just 125 seconds, overpowering three defenders on the left wing. She added a flying finish from a sharp offload in the same area, after Shaylee Bent had sliced through from close range for Australia's second. She completed her hat-trick by evading several tackles on a 60-metre run.
Jess Sergis went the length of the field for Australia's fourth try, although there was a suspected forward pass in the build-up. Upton also scored, and Southwell kicked five goals. Shannon Mato and Wiki crossed for New Zealand, and Kiria-Ratu kicked a goal.
Record margin out of reach
The conditions were extremely hot, forcing a drinks break in each half and an extended interval. At the break Australia were on course to challenge New Zealand's 58-0 winning margin from the 2003 final.
The second half was far more even. New Zealand scored a consolation try and kept their record of not conceding after the interval at this tournament, although Australia were long out of sight.
Unbeaten run extends
Australia are now unbeaten in 16 World Cup matches, a run dating back to July 2013.
Their only real scare came in the semi-final against Fiji, who became the first side in 13 years to open the scoring against Australia in a World Cup game. Australia still went on to win the title, scoring 306 points and conceding 30 across the tournament.
Is Australia's dominance good for the growth of women's rugby league, or does it make the tournament less competitive?
