New Zealand opened its Women's Rugby League World Cup campaign with an 18-12 win over Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia, but the Kiwi Ferns needed a try from Leianne Tufuga in the final minutes to put away a Bulikula side playing its first World Cup match.
The game began on script. Stacey Waaka, the Olympic sevens gold medalist making her Test debut on the wing, scored after two minutes. Fiji then took over possession and field position. In the 21st minute, a strong run and quick play-the-ball from Lorren Ieli let Sereana Naitokatoka dart from dummy half and send Losana Lutu through for the first World Cup try in Fiji's history. Five minutes later, center Sienna Laing chased a Lutu grubber and scored, and Fiji led 12-4.
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