A hat-trick from the player of the tournament Mitchell Moses helped Australia overcome New Zealand 24-10 to claim the inaugural men’s World Cup 9s title.
After a weight of possession, New Zealand crossed first when Reimis Smith athletically touched down in the corner courtesy of a brilliant bat-on by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Moses with a HAT-TRICK ?#RLWC9s pic.twitter.com/U8fH1yQMkX
— NRL (@NRL) October 19, 2019
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Australia briefly hit the front through a converted Moses bonus zone try but Kiwis winger Jamayne Isaako responded straight away with his seventh try of the competition and the ensuing sideline goal.
However, the brilliance of Eels halfback Moses put the Kangaroos ahead 13-10 at half-time as he burnt the defence to notch another four-pointer on his home turf.
Kyle Feldt powered over for a try in the second stanza, much to the chagrin of many fans who claimed the Cowboys winger committed a double-movement and planted the ball short.
But Moses, who finished with 20 points, ensured that debate was moot when he backed up a bulldozing David Fifita bust to reach the bonus zone and secure the coveted trophy.
Kiwi Ferns take World Cup 9s Women’s title
Champions ??? #RLWC9s pic.twitter.com/019AU4ZyQm
— Women’s Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) October 19, 2019
New Zealand hadn’t beaten Australia in a women’s fixture of any format since 2016 but the drought came to an end on Saturday night as the Kiwi Ferns stunned the Jillaroos with a 17-15 win in the World Cup 9s final at Bankwest Stadium.
Dominated by the Jillaroos 22-8 in the opening round of the tournament a night earlier, a late try to Nita Maynard from close range was enough for the Kiwi Ferns to edge ahead in the see-sawing contest.
How things can change in a day!
What a performance from the Kiwis ???#RLWC9s pic.twitter.com/Tr8JxZxHQU
— Women’s Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) October 19, 2019
Tensions were felt when Jules Newman crossed the line with the rugby union convert pointing at counterpart Isabelle Kelly, before clashing with Jess Sergis and Ali Brigginshaw in the shadows of full-time.
“The last time I won a World Cup was 2008 for the 13-a-side game so to be a World Cup winner again is surreal, to be honest,” Kiwi Ferns captain Honey Hireme told NRL.com.
