The Black Ferns have retained the O’Reilly Cup with a 38-12 win over the Wallaroos in Newcastle.
It was a vastly improved performance by the Wallaroos, with several encouraging signs for coach Jo Yapp.
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The Kiwis raced out to a 19-0 lead at half-time before the Wallaroos rallied.
Back-to-back tries showed the team’s exponential growth since their 62-0 defeat to the defending World Champions 12 months ago.
However, the New Zealanders’ class was too much as they closed out the victory and maintained their unbeaten record.
The Black Ferns dominates territory and possession for the opening half as winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga scored the first two tries of the game.
Leti-I’iga caught the Aussies napping around the ruck in the 11th minute, slicing through the defence for an easy try.
The wing replicated this effort 13 minutes later for a 14-0 lead as the Wallaroos defence held tough for the majority of the half in a vastly improved display from last year.
The defensive line could only hold for so long as teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee celebrated her debut with a nice try.
The 18-year-old dived over the corner for a 19-0 lead at the break, with the TMO clearing the put down.
The Black Ferns looked to seal the win after the break, with prop Chryss Viliko barging over to start the second half.
However, the Wallaroos kept fighting and a smart blindside move from Layne Morgan found Eva Karpani one-on-one with a smaller defender and the prop barged over the line.
A lovely kick from Tia Hinds nearly produced a try to Georgina Friedrichs, who just couldn’t control the ball, before Siokapesi Palu was held up over the line.
Replacement Ashley Marsters couldn’t be stopped though, powering over at the back of the maul for her fifth career try.
Layla Sae tried to silence the crowd but a knock-on in the lineout in the build-up denied the five-pointer.
Eventually, the Black Ferns sealed the win and the O’Reilly Cup with a try to Sylvia Brunt.
Sorensen-McGee capped her dream debut off with her second try with a minute left.
Tries: Karpani, Marsters
Con: Moleka 1/2
Pens:
Tries: Leti-I’iga 2, Sorensen-McGee, Viliko, Brunt
Con: Demant 2/3
Pen:
WALLAROOS (1-15): Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (c), Emily Chancellor, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Cecilia Smith, Georgina Friedrichs, Charlotte Caslick, Faitala Moleka
Replacements: Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Bridie O'Gorman, Tiarah Minns, Ashley Marsters, Natalie Wright, Trilleen Pomare, Lori Cramer
BLACK FERNS (1-15): Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale, Alana Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-c), Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maia Joseph, Ruahei Demant (co-c), Katelyn Vahaakolo, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Replacements: Atlanta Lolohea, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Amy Rule, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Dhys Faleafaga, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR) & Jess Ling (RA)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
