Chapman hat-trick powers Jillaroos to fourth consecutive World Cup

Australia beat New Zealand 34-10 at Lang Park in Brisbane on 15 November to win a fourth consecutive women's Rugby League World Cup. Jaime Chapman scored three tries in an overwhelming first half that left the Jillaroos 34-6 ahead at the break. New Zealand won the second half 4-0 but could not recover the deficit.

The final was the fifth in succession between the trans-Tasman rivals. In intense Brisbane heat, Australia started much faster than in its semifinal against Fiji. Chapman opened the scoring after two minutes, breaking wide and beating defenders, and recalled playmaker Jesse Southwell converted from a difficult angle.

Chapman added a diving, one-handed finish in the 14th minute and then completed her treble with a long breakaway. It brought her tournament total to 13 tries. Shaylee Best, Jess Sergis and Tamika Upton also crossed before halftime, giving Australia six first-half tries. Southwell converted five. Upton's score followed an exchange with Abbi Church, while Sergis also capitalised on a clean break.

Shannon Mato's converted 23rd-minute try supplied New Zealand's only first-half points. After the interval the pace and accuracy dropped as the heat took its toll. A defensive stop five minutes into the half prevented Australia extending its lead, and the Jillaroos did not score again.

Isabelle Kelly denied Mackenzie Wiki once near the line, but Wiki finally crossed just before the siren for the only second-half score. That preserved a notable defensive record for the Kiwi Ferns: they did not concede a second-half point throughout the tournament. Chapman described winning at home against New Zealand as a dream outcome and praised her teammates' work in the difficult conditions.