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New Zealand might have run Australia close in the final group game of the women's World Cup but the Kiwi Ferns could well have lost the war in losing the battle.
- Australia's 10-8 win over New Zealand resulted in them topping their group in the women's rugby league World Cup
- The Jillaroos will take on Papua New Guinea in their semi-final
- The winner will face the victor of New Zealand's clash with England
The Jillaroos snuck home 10-8 in the match of the tournament so far, which looks all but certain to be replayed in the final.
But if there was a chance for the Kiwi Ferns to catch Australia cold, that was it. In pushing the green and golds right to the limit before coming up short, they eliminated any chance of the defending champions entering the knockout stages underdone or complacent.
The Jillaroos were thrown into the fire and came out unburnt and according to star lock Simaima Taufa, the close contest will only fuel their desire to win a third straight World Cup.
"We pride ourselves on our culture, which is being resilient and selfless and continuing to inspire each other on and off the field," said Taufa.
"Resilience is what we're continuing to work on, it's been instilled in us for our whole careers by the obstacles we've overcome in football and life.
"To see all the girls have that belief regardless of what was dished out there or whatever went against us, we just supported each other through the process and it showed.
"We were able to turn the Kiwis away, we were able to look each other in the eye and know we wanted this."
Australia will face Papua New Guinea on Tuesday morning (AEST) for a place in the final at Old Trafford next weekend.
Outside of hard-nosed prop Elsie Albert, the Orchids lack top-level experience but have been big improvers in recent years and are known for their physicality in defence.
According to Taufa, the Jillaroos will find inspiration in one another as they look to remain unbeaten and set up a bumper final against either New Zealand or England.
"I'm looking forward to coming together again, continuing to be selfless through this whole journey.
"My whole team inspires me. We talked about this in camp, we don't know what path everyone followed to represent their country.
"The stories of our group, that's what inspires me, the girls who had to give away the game at 12 and come back to it, girls who travelled six hours to go to a training session, leaders who push us to be better versions of ourselves on and off the field.
"That's where I find what I need."