LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Jillaroos put on a masterclass performance against their rivals, the Kiwi Ferns, with a stunning 14-0 victory in Christchurch on Sunday, booking their spot in the Pacific Cup final on November 10.
It was a sweet revenge for the Aussies after last year's heartbreaking 12-6 loss in the final, and they will be riding high on confidence heading into the decider.
However, the win did come at a cost, as hooker Olivia Higgins suffered an arm injury, leaving coach Brad Donald with a potential headache ahead of the final showdown.
Despite the Kiwi Ferns dominating possession early on, the Jillaroos defense stood strong, denying their opponents any chance of scoring.
The Aussie attack, led by Millie Elliott, made some promising breaks but failed to convert their opportunities into points, with Elliott being held up on two occasions.
The Jillaroos continued to apply pressure, but some poor choices on the last tackle by Aiken and Brigginshaw gave the Kiwi Ferns a chance to breathe.
A rookie mistake by Alexis Tauaneai put the Kiwi Ferns in a dangerous position, but Tiana Davison stepped up with a crucial defensive play to keep the Aussies in the game.
With just minutes left in the first half, Aiken's clever grubber kick led to a pivotal moment for the Jillaroos, as Penitani powered past the Kiwi defense to score the first try of the match.
Aiken's missed conversion meant the Aussies went into the break with a 4-0 lead.
The Jillaroos will now look to maintain their winning momentum and bring home the Pacific Cup, but they will need to regroup and address some of their shortcomings before the final showdown.