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Redemption on the line for the Kiwi Ferns

Updated: Nov 6

After a 14-0 defeat in the opening round, the Kiwi Ferns will again face off against the Australian Jillaroos in the Pacific Championship final.

After defeat in the opening round, the Kiwi Ferns will again face off against the Australian Jillaroos in the Pacific Championship final.


New Zealand feel they are ready to make significant strides forward, aiming to defend their historic 2023 victory that ended a seven-year streak of losses to Australia.


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Head coach Ricky Henry said there had been plenty of deliberations around picking the squad best suited for finals football.


"This team that we have chosen for this final we believe will get the job done. The competition for positions underscores the abundance of quality talent in the team, ensuring a strong performance against the formidable Australian side."


Meanwhile, the Kiwis have named an unchanged line-up for their encounter with Papua New Guinea.


Following their 24-25 loss to Tonga in their Pacific Cup contest in Auckland, the Kiwis finished third on the table to set up a promotion-relegation clash against the Kumuls, the winners of the Pacific Bowl competition.


Tonga face the Kangaroos in the men's final with the quadruple header kicking off with a women's promotion-relegation match between the Papua New Guinea Orchids and Fetu Samoa.


While the New Zealanders lost to the Kangaroos and Tonga, the Kumuls beat Fiji Bati 22-10 in Suva and the Cook Islands Aitu 42-20 in Port Moresby on Sunday.


Head coach Stacey Jones has confirmed the same side which staged the valiant second half comeback in Auckland.


Captain James Fisher-Harris and second rower Isaiah Papali'i will be making their 12th consecutive Test appearances for the Kiwis, having featured in every international in the last three years.


It will Shaun Johnson's final match for the Kiwis unless he unretires again.


The Kiwis will meet Papua New Guinea for the first time in 11 years since a 56-10 win in Leeds at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford.


Pacific Championships women's final

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos

Sunday, November 10, 3:50pm NZT in Sydney


KIWI FERNS: Apii Nicholls, Leiante Tufuga, Mele Hufanga, Abigail Roache, Shanice Parker, Gayle Broughton, Tyler King, Brianna Clark, Brooke Anderson, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Annessa Biddle, Amber Hall, Georgia Hale (captain).

Interchange: Ashleigh Quinlan, Najvada George, Alexis Tauaneai, Otesa Pule, Tiana Davison


Pacific Championships promotion/relegation

Kiwis vs Papua New Guinea

Sunday, November 10, 8:20pm in Sydney


KIWIS: Keano Kini, Jamayne Isaako, Matthew Timoko, Peta Hiku, Will Warbrick, Charnze Nicole-Klokstad, Shaun Johnson, James Fisher-Harris (captain), Phoenix Crossland, Joseph Tapine, Isaiah Papali'i, Scott Sorensen, Naufahu Whyte. Interchange: Kodi Nikorima, Griffin Neame, Marata Niukore, Leo Thompson

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