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Australia have hit back at arch rivals New Zealand with a 20-point win in their women's rugby league Test at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Captain Ali Brigginshaw said she enjoyed seeing teammate Isabelle Kelly stand up to New Zealand rival Jules Newman after a fiery lead-up to Friday's rugby league Test win by Australia.
Ending an intense week between the two arch rivals, the Jillaroos hit back at the World Cup Nines champions with a 28-8 Test victory in Wollongong.
The fire was lit after the Kiwi Ferns won the Nines title last weekend when Newman labelled the Jillaroos "cocky".
Facing off against her Nines opponent, Test debutant Newman was kept quiet with just 39 metres and 18 tackles compared to Kelly's stats of 150 metres and a tackle break from 16 runs for the game.
"I was excitied for Izzy to get another crack there. Izzy's a competitor, she plays great footy every time she pulls this jersey on and I thought she was outstanding," Brigginshaw said.
"Up against Jules, I thought (Newman) was quiet tonight, and I thought Izzy stood up to her and didn't take any comments from her."
Just a week ago, the Kiwi Ferns had celebrated an inaugural Nines win over the Jillaroos, but not since 2016 have they won a Test against their biggest rivals.
The Jillaroos backed up their 26-24 victory from last season with a 20-point win on Friday evening at WIN Stadium in front of a crowd of 8184.
A sensational trick play from Australian five-eighth Kirra Dibb opened up the game late in the first half, giving the Jillaroos a 16-point lead despite a wealth of possession for the Kiwis.
It was a bold move they had practised all week at training, but took sheer luck to execute on the big stage.
Dibb put in a kick from the 55 metres out with star centre Jess Sergis chasing through, catching the perfect bounce and scoring between the posts.
The audacious play put the Jillaroos ahead 16-0 in the 31st minute, and they didn't score again until second-rower Kezie Apps landed a late try with 12 minutes to go.
Winger Shakiah Tungai sealed the result off another Dibb assist with three minutes on the clock.
The Ferns had done all the running in the first half but were overrun when their discipline took a turn. They went into the sheds down 18-4 at halftime, but skipper Honey Hireme pulled the Ferns back into the game with a brilliant try just after the break before the Jillaroos pulled away.
But typically, both sides were left bruised and battered as they awaited their next meeting in 2020.
"The bravery from these girls is phenomenal," said Kiwi Ferns coach Justin Morgan.
"They do not hold back in contact and I think I've said a number of times, I haven't coached a group of players that love contact so much.
"There was some big defensive moments out there at different stages and a lot of bravery."
