New Zealand beat Fiji 18-12 after trailing in Women's Rugby League World Cup opener

New Zealand's women came from behind to beat World Cup debutants Fiji 18-12 in their opening Group B match in Newcastle on Sunday, 18 October. The Kiwi Ferns trailed 12-10 at half-time and needed a late try from Leianne Tufuga to secure a win that coach Ricky Henry called a wake-up call.

How New Zealand recovered against Fiji

Stacey Waaka gave New Zealand an early lead, scoring after two minutes, but Fiji responded through Losana Lutu. Fiji captain Sereana Naitokatoka created the opening from dummy half for Lutu, whose try was the team's first at a women's World Cup. Sienna Laing then scored to extend Fiji's lead before Waaka's second try narrowed the gap before the break.

The result was settled in the closing minutes when Raecene McGregor's kick found Tufuga, who scored in the corner. RNZ put the try at two minutes from full-time. Waaka's two first-half tries and Temara's penalties had kept New Zealand in contention until that final score.

Ricky Henry calls opener a wake-up call

Henry told a post-match news conference that New Zealand had found a way to win despite departing from its intended approach. ‘I reckon it's a wake-up call, and the girls will think so too,’ he said, adding that the side had things to work on. He rejected rustiness as an excuse for the performance.

New Zealand player Georgia Hale said Fiji had tested the team and described its play as ‘uncharacteristically ill-disciplined, untidy’. Hale said the side had wanted to establish a physical, forward-moving approach to the tournament but had strayed from it and then had to work hard to recover.

New Zealand next face France in Christchurch, while Fiji play Papua New Guinea in Group B. Fiji leave their first women's World Cup match without a win but having led one of the tournament's established sides deep into the second half.