The Wallaroos have started the road to the 2029 Rugby World Cup with a 33-15 win over Fijiana in Canberra.
There was plenty of rust for the hosts early but they overcame a determined Fiji outfit for the first win of the season under interim coach Sam Needs.
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Flyhalf Nicole Ledington was the pick of the six debutants that got on, scoring the opener whilst coming up with a clutch try-saver in a tense second half.
The experience of Georgina Friedrichs and Maya Stewart was crucial late in the game as they had just enough spark the deal with the visitors.
The Wallaroos struggled to take their chances early, as their execution let them down at the start of the contest.
It took a special solo effort from young gun Ledington to open the scoring as the Western Force playmaker sliced the visitors open.
The NZ born half caught Fijiana out with a show-and-go, burning the fullback with her pace and footwork for the opener.
A slice of luck gave the Aussies a 14-0 lead as Bridie O’Gorman dived on a loose ball over the line after Brianna Hoy’s pass was knocked down.
However, Hoy shortly found herself sitting down for ten after a high shot on Repeka Tove was picked up by the TMO.
It completely flipped the momentum to Fijiana, who reduced the margin to 14-10 at the break through lock Carletta Yee.
The Wallaroos held them out after the break as the two sides proceeded to trade tries in a tense second half.
Siokapesi Palu Sekona strike for the Wallaroos, powerful over after another impressive Maya Stewart break.
Josivini Neihamu answered right back for Fiji, but it was Stewart who dived over for her 17th try in the gold jersey, with an impressive try-saver from Ledington earlier halting Fiji’s run of form.
The visitors created plenty of chances late but just couldn’t find a way through as the Wallaroos held on.
First, they were denied a try by the TMO for a knock-on in the build-up, whilst Kolora Lomani bombed a certain try after she failed to re-gather her charge down.
Replacement Desiree Miller made them pay close to the full time whistle, finishing in the corner to cap off the victory.
The Aussies turn their attention to their USA tip in a fortnight, beginning with a quarter-final rematch against Canada.
Wallaroos 33 (Tries: Ledington, O'Gorman, Palu Sekona, Stewart, Miller; Cons: Wood 4/4, Miller 0/1) def Fijiana 15
