Wounded Jillaroos into World Cup final after Fiji smackdown

Facing the Jillaroos at this Rugby League World Cup has been like heading straight into the eye of the storm.

Those who have dared to venture there have emerged either gallant in an ultimately big defeat, like Fetu Samoa, or humbled into merciless submission, like England and Wales.

But the Fiji Bulikula storm chasers stared the beast down in the semi-finals, and rattled them. Not besting them this time, but firing a warning shot that their time is coming.

This will be sold as a Jillaroos' scare or wake-up call, but this was more like much-needed proof of life for the international women's game.

Fiji's time is coming

Most fans and experts predicted another Jillaroos' trouncing.

The three-time defending champions steamrolled their opposition in their three pool games, with a combined score of 242-6.

They have lost only one game in a decade, and that was to their long-time nearest (and truthfully only) rival, New Zealand.

The two-horse race in the women's game has been holding it back, and this tournament has had some ugly scorelines, showing much more investment is needed.

But Fiji, in its first World Cup appearance, could be the one that can finally break the Australia-New Zealand duopoly.

Where no other side has made the slightest dent in the Jillaroos' machine, the Bulikula turned it into a write-off in the first half.

The Fijians brought incredible defensive intensity; they crunched the Australians in tackles with perfect technique as they forced countless uncharacteristic errors.

The Australians' completion rate was around 40 per cent, a figure unheard of for the best side in the world, as the visitors executed to perfection.

Their long kicking game in particular was on point. They consistently pinned the Australians back, then regained possession deep into their opposition's half.

Un-Jillaroos-like things were happening. Tamika Upton failed to collect bombs. Jocelyn Kelleher dropped the ball unchallenged. Abbi Church was stopped dead in her tracks, sprinting towards the tryline.

Five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua, destined for the NRLW sooner rather than later, played the game of her life, as she orchestrated an 8-0 lead.

But the Australians did not have to be perfect to come back and win this one.

They started to wipe out the unforced errors, the completion rate improved, and when they entered the red zone, they scored.

Church was the stand-out with four tries, including one where she steamed into the in-goal to collect a kick which almost any other player surely would have dropped.

But the gritty win took its toll; Jamie Chapman left the game early with cramp, and the Australians will come away with bruised bodies, if not slightly bruised egos. All for the greater good of the game.

The Fijians tired in the second half, unable to hold back the Australian wave, but they kept turning up till the end, and were rewarded by a late try.

Their contributions extended to the pre-game too, as they performed their moving hymn, the Noqu Masu.

Another reminder of the power of the Pasifika nations in this World Cup, where culture, faith, and footy collide.

The Jillaroos' juggernaut may have stuttered for the first time in what feels like an age, but it ultimately remains on track for its final destination.

A final against the Kiwi Ferns in Brisbane next Sunday, and a fourth straight World Cup trophy beckoning.