Jillaroos captain Kezie Apps has scored a late try to help secure victory for Australia against New Zealand in their one-off test match in Wollongong.
However, it has not come without controversy after an apparent knock-on whilst she was putting the ball down.
The Jillaroos were hell-bent for revenge after their shock loss to the Ferns in the World Cup Nines last Saturday, with tries to Tallisha Harden, Millie Boyle and Jessica Sergis giving them a commanding 18-4 lead heading into the half-time break.
However, New Zealand would refuse to give up with a try to captain Honey Hireme narrowing the margin down to just 10 points.
Australia would look to extend their lead when five-eighth Kirra Dib would put a grubber kick in on the last tackle.
The chase to the ball was won by captain and second-rower Kezie Apps, who looked to plant the ball down and score in front of her home crowd.
Check out the try below
Referee Belinda Sharpe would send the play up to the video referee as a try, however, the footage appeared to show Apps knocking the ball on in the process of putting it down.
Fox Sports commentator Michael Ennis was hopeful that they would reward her for a strong game, however, conceded they she appeared to knock it on.
"Oh...yeah just give that to her," he said.
"I think she's lost that."
Channel Nine's Phil Gould was less than convinced by the effort, although believed that she grounded the ball whilst trying to pick it up.
"I guess you can call that a grounding," Gould shrugged.
"I think she was trying to pick it up but her hand-rolled onto the ball for downward pressure.
Textbook from the Jillaroos. 🔥 #RoosFerns | @9Gem#9WWOS pic.twitter.com/OvWnElQwqR
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) October 25, 2019
Video referee Bryan Norrie would agree with Gould, giving her the benefit of the doubt and awarded the try, which pushed the Jillaroos out to a 14-point lead.
The victory would be secured in the final moments of the game, with Shakiah Tungai winning the race to the ball to push the final score out to 28-8 in Australia's favour.
