"Australia fullback Abbi Church has produced a spectacular Test debut in a hard fought 10-4 Pacific Championships win over New Zealand. Church, 27, came into the starting side when No 1 Tamika Upton was ruled out with a calf strain, and set up a try before scoring one herself at Eden Park. It was a debut to remember in a titanic and physically gruelling struggle between the world's best two teams, who will meet again in the tournament's final in Sydney on 9 November."
"The first half was attritional with both sides defending brilliantly. Halfback Jesse Southwell last week put up a kick for winger Julia Robinson to dive and catch the ball on the full and score a cracker against Samoa and she tried it again on Sunday. Robinson raced towards the ball but it just eluded her grasp. The hosts also showcased a slick kicking game with five-eighth Patricia Maliepo a standout."
"Parramatta flyer Church, who ran for 197m, showed great awareness in a short-side play to set up star winger Jessica Sergis for the only try of the first half. In the 32nd minute the Sydney Roosters powerhouse beat three defenders with strength and determination. Church scored in the 43rd minute after chasing a Southwell kick to give the visitors a 10-0 lead."
Abbi Church started in place of the injured Tamika Upton and made a decisive impact, creating a try and scoring one in Australia's 10-4 Pacific Championships victory over New Zealand at Eden Park. The match was a titanic, physically gruelling contest between the top two teams, with both sides defending strongly in an attritional first half. Australia executed effective short-side and chasing plays, while New Zealand displayed a slick kicking game led by five-eighth Patricia Maliepo. Church ran 197m, set up Jessica Sergis’s try, and later chased down a kick to score and extend the visitors' lead.
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