Black Ferns run away with victory over Wallaroos
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The Black Ferns have proven too strong to take a 67-19 win over the Wallaroos in Auckland
The Australians answered an early Kiwi try when Arabella McKenzie scored a great individual try in the seventh minute.
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However, it was all New Zealand from here as they scored 48 unanswered points.
This included a hat-trick to winger Mererangi Paul as they rebounded from their defeat to Canada last week.
The Aussies' loss ensures they will play in WXV2 in South Africa later in the season.
The Kiwis got off to a strong start as impressive number eight Kaipo Olsen-Baker barged over after taking it herself from the five-metre scrum.
The Aussies were up for the challenge early and some magic from flyhalf McKenzie levelled the scores.
McKenzie took the line on herself and sliced through the defence, racing away to score a great solo try.
The visitors’ struggles with restart hurt them and presented a chance for the Kiwis to strike as Sylvia Brunt stepped back inside to restore the lead.
This didn’t deter the Wallaroos’ attack, with the likes of Maya Stewart and Cecilia Smith finding space in quick succession.
However, this kicked the Black Fens into life and they ran away with the match.
Winger Paul scored twice in five minutes to give them a 26-7 lead after 25 minutes.
The New Zealanders continued to kick clear when Olsen-Baker’s break put Liana Mikaele-Tu’u over, followed by a great run from Brunt to set up Georgia Ponsonby from the kick-off.
A solo try from winger Katelyn Vahaakolo gave the Black Ferns an unassailable 45-7 lead at the break.
The dominance continued into the second half as prop Chryss Viliko crossed, with Paul completing the hat-trick in the 47th minute.
McKenzie’s second and Maya Stewart’s try gave the Wallaroos something to celebrate but co-captain Kennedy Simon’s double closed out the win.
"Really frustrating, the area of the game that let us down was the breakdown," Yapp said.
"When we managed to hold onto the ball and recycle it, we got in behind them but at one point we were just turning over ball way too easily.
"...The second half we got a hold of the ball and managed to keep it for long periods and get some points on the board but a big focus is that breakdown and our ability to exit, which we couldn't on our terms and put pressure on ourselves."
The Wallaroos will join South Africa, Scotland, Italy and two teams yet to be confirmed in the second tier of WXV, starting in late September.
BLACK FERNS 67
Tries: Olsen-Baker, Brunt, Paul 3, Mikaele-Tu'u, Ponsonby, Vahaakolo, Viliko, Simon 2
Cons: Holmes 6/11
WALLAROOS 19
Tries: McKenzie 2, Stewart
Cons: McKenzie 2/3
BLACK FERNS v WALLAROOS TEAMS
NEW ZEALAND (1-15): Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bremner, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kennedy Simon (co-c), Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Mererangi Paul, Renee Holmes
RESERVES: Luka Connor, Marcelle Parkes, Aldora Itunu, Charmaine Smith, Layla Sae, Maia Joseph, Ruahei Demant (co-c), Grace Steinmetz
AUSTRALIA (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani, Michaela Leonard (c) Atasi Lafai, Siokapesi Palu, Leilani Nathan, Piper Duck, Samantha Wood, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Cecilia Smith, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
RESERVES: Hera-Bard Malcolm Heke, Sally Fuesaina, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Faitala Moleka