New Zealand rally to beat Fiji 18-12 in Women’s Rugby League World Cup opener

New Zealand recovered from an eight-point deficit to beat Fiji 18-12 in their Women's Rugby League World Cup opener in Newcastle on Sunday. According to BBC Sport, the tournament newcomers led 12-4 before the Ferns fought back, with Leianne Tufuga's late try finally settling a contest that remained in doubt well into the second half.

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The result came after an unfamiliar position for New Zealand at the interval. BBC Sport reported that their 12-10 deficit was the first time they had trailed at half-time in a World Cup match. The Ferns have appeared in all six previous finals, winning the first three editions and finishing runners-up to Australia in the next three. Fiji were making their debut at the women's tournament.

Stacey Waaka gave New Zealand an early advantage with a try after two minutes, but Fiji responded through Losana Lutu in the 21st minute. Captain Sereana Naitokatoka created the opportunity with a run from dummy half, setting up her country's first women's World Cup try. Sienna Laing then scored five minutes later as Fiji moved into a 12-4 lead.

Waaka's second try helped New Zealand reduce the deficit before half-time. Fiji continued to resist after the restart, forcing the Ferns to find another way to turn the score around. Zehara Temara's penalty kicks brought New Zealand level and then put them ahead, before Raecene McGregor supplied the cross-field kick that Tufuga collected to score in the closing minutes.

Coach Ricky Henry welcomed his team's ability to recover but criticised the performance in his post-match news conference, BBC Sport reported. He said New Zealand had strayed from their intended approach and rejected rustiness as an excuse. Henry described the match as a warning for his players, while acknowledging the fight they had shown in coming back.

Georgia Hale also highlighted problems with discipline and execution. She said New Zealand had wanted to establish a physical, forward-moving approach but had departed from those intentions, leaving themselves considerable work to recover. Hale credited Fiji with playing freely and testing the Ferns.

New Zealand's next Group B fixture is against France at home in Christchurch. Fiji will face Papua New Guinea, having opened their first women's World Cup campaign with a defeat despite leading one of the competition's most successful sides at the break.