New Zealand’s women began their preparations for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in emphatic style with a 67-3 win over Australia in the first match of the two-test series against the Wallaroos at Eden Park.
Played on Saturday as part of an historic double header featuring the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia, the match went true to form with the Black Ferns having it all their own way in a one-sided contest against a Wallaroos side playing their first test since WRWC 2014.
The Black Ferns ran in 11 unanswered tries, four of which were scored by hard-running full-back Selica Winiata (main picture), as they racked up their 13th consecutive win over Australia and equalled their biggest-ever winning margin against their rivals from across the Tasman.
Glenn Moore’s side led 31-3 at the break following tries from captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili, Chelsea Alley, World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2015 Kendra Cocksedge, Winiata and Eloise Blackwell.
Australia, who played the last 10 minutes of the first half down to 14 following prop Louise Burrows’ yellow card, could only muster three points from the boot of captain Ash Hewson.
RUTHLESS
The Wallaroos battled gamely after the resumption but when Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali crossed for New Zealand’s sixth try the floodgates opened.
Winiata scored twice more in the space of 10 minutes to complete her hat-trick before Australia found themselves permanently down to 14 players in the 71st minute when Burrows was dismissed for a second yellow card.
The Black Ferns ruthlessly took advantage to score three more tries in the final five minutes with Fa’amausili getting her second and Winiata her fourth before Honey Hireme rounded off an impressive display with one of her own.
Having got a long-awaited game under their belts, Australia will hope to be more competitive when the sides meet again on Wednesday for the second test at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany.
New Zealand remain as the top side in the World Rugby Women's Rankings, unchanged on 91.94 points, with Australia sixth on 79.88.