The NZ Kahu challenge Nauru with a haka. Photo: juntanlaycosports.com
It was heartbreak on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for the NZ Kahu, who went down to Nauru 5.1.31-3.3.21 in the AFL Pacific Cup 2024 women's grand final.
The Kahu started well, scoring a well-constructed goal that was finished off by Kate Turnbull inside the first three minutes. However, Nauru answered back only a few minutes later, before the game shifted to a tight defensive contest for the rest of the half.
A couple of Nauru goals in the third quarter made it an uphill battle for the Kahu, despite solid work from captain Liv Waldron, halfback Axel Oswald and half forward Kate Turnbull. The Kahu pulled within two goals of the lead but in their efforts to throw everyone forward, a Nauru break led to the back 50 being wide open for Nauru to score on one more goal and make the game safe.
Turnbull was able to tack on one more consolation score for the Kahu, however no matter the result, history was made this week as they are the first ever women's representative Australian Rules side from New Zealand. They finished with a two win, two loss record.
New Zealand's James Sharp challenges for the ball. Photo: juntanlaycosports.com
Meanwhile, the men's side made up for a disappointing start to their campaign with a massive 16.4.100-5.6.36 victory over Fiji in the bronze medal match.
The Falcons kicked six goals in a productive third term, with one of the best of the tournament off the boot of full forward James Sharp. Nine more players joined him on the goal-scoring list for 16 in total, including four to Lachie McBride who nailed one right on the final siren to bring up the century.
Misilifi Faimalo was a constant presence in the on ball division, while James Southby and Shane Leat had plenty of disposals in an excellent team effort.
New Zealand's Logan Toomer. Photo: juntanlaycosports.com
The dry conditions clearly favoured the running game of the Falcons. However that made It doubly frustrating that their crucial first two matches were hit with heavy rain and wind, which definitely played a big part in the resulting losses to Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
The tournament marked the return to international action for the Falcons after a five-year absence due to the pandemic.
The Pacific Cup is one of three regional tournaments that has replaced the International Cup that had been running since 2002, Ireland having won both the men's and women's Transatlantic Cup in August and the Asia Cup due to be hosted next month in Vietnam.