The Wallaroos have gone down 43-3 to New Zealand in their second O’Reilly Cup clash of 2023.
The Black Ferns stunned Australia from the outset with five first-half tries before a much-improved second half from Jay Tregonning’s side.
Watch every game of the O'Reilly Cup and WXV LIVE on Stan Sport. Start watching Stan Sport now.
The Wallaroos kept New Zealand scoreless for 37 minutes after oranges but couldn’t convert their chances as Lucy Jenkins and Force Super W star Martha Mataele crossed late to ice an emphatic 2-0 series win.
Black Ferns wing Katelyn Vahaakolo shone for the hosts in Hamilton with 10 tackle busts and two tries while prop Krystal Murray was impressive in a fiery opening term.
Only strong tackling from Adiana Talakai and Michaela Leonard and a swathe of early knock-ons kept the world champions at bay but it was only a matter of time before the gold wall cracked, Murray eventually burrowing over in the 11th minute.
The Northland veteran again starred in the 16th minute, forcing a penalty from a Wallaroos scrum 35m out from their tryline to march the Black Ferns upfield, laying the platform for Ruahei Demant to feed debutant Patricia Maliepo across the line three minutes later.
Final score here in Hamilton. #Wallaroos #AUSvNZL
Posted by Buildcorp Wallaroos on Friday, September 29, 2023
Australia's woes continued with injury forcing fullback Lori Cramer off before Vahaakolo’s quickfire brace and Brunt's 39th minute try shot the margin out to 31-0.
Carys Dallinger landed the first points after halftime with a long-range penalty as the Wallaroos looked to turn things around and narrowly missed another in the 56th minute with Ashley Marsters and Eva Karpani providing plenty of go-forward.
Georgina Friedrichs also impressed in the second half with strong tackling as Australia turned to their short kicking game but failed to convert territory into points.
The Hamilton crowd found its voice when Bridie O’Gorman saw red for a head-high contact in the 70th minute and erupted as Lucy Jenkins finally broke their 37-minute try drought with Mataele’s overtime score landing a final blow to the Australians.
BLACK FERNS 43
TRIES: Mataele, Jenkins, Brunt, Vaha'akolo, Vaha'akolo, Maliepo, Murray
CONS: Demant (3/5), Kelly (1/2)
WALLAROOS 3
PENS: Dallinger
Wallaroos (15-1): Lori Cramer, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Ivania Wong, Carys Dallinger, Layne Morgan, Ashley Marsters, Emily Chancellor, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (c), Sera Naiqama, Eva Karpani, Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Cheatham
Replacements: Tania Naden, Emily Robinson, Bridie O'Gorman, Leilani Nathan, Tabua, Tuinakauvadra, Jasmin Huriwai, Cecilia Smith, Faitala Moleka
Black Ferns (15-1): Patricia Maliepo, Mererangi Paul, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant (cc), Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Kennedy Simon (cc), Alana Bremner, Charmaine Smith, Maiakawanakalauni Roos, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Krystal Murray
Replacements: Luka Connor, Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale, Lucy Jenkins, Layla Sae, Iritana Hohaia, Rosie Kelly, Martha Mataele
Referee: Kat Roache
