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The Kiwi Ferns have posted a heroic, though ultimately losing, effort against Australia in the side’s biggest match at the Rugby League World Cup so far, going down 10-8 in York.

Australia, heavy favourites coming into the match, were put under immense pressure by a Kiwis side that forced an error-riddled performance out of the defending World Cup champions.

Both sides scored two tries, with a conversion attempt from Brianna Clark that hit the post and missed proving to be the difference between the sides in the end.

Front rower Amber Hall was named player of the match, despite being on the losing team - an indication of just how well her side played. Hall said the match was a brutal encounter, but one that will set them up nicely for what’s next in the tournament.

“It was kinda rough out there... I’m kind of glad it’s over. Although we didn’t get the win, I’m sure we can take a lot of lessons from this,” Hall said after the final whistle.

“There’s still a lot of learnings and a lot of things we can polish for the semifinal next week.”

Australia now finish pool play at the top of their group, with New Zealand in second place.

The Kiwi Ferns will take on England in the semifinals on Tuesday morning while Australia match up with Papua New Guinea.

As it happened in the Kiwi Ferns’ match against Australia: