Roar Guru
The Wallaroos have played second-fiddle to the world champion Black Ferns for a second straight week, losing their women’s rugby Test 45-17 in Auckland.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Black Ferns 45
Wallaroos 17
Once again, the Wallaroos and Black Ferns will raise the curtains to the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park, in the final game of the two match series for the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy. Join The Roar for live scores and blog starting from 3pm (AEST).
Anyone who didn’t think the Wallaroos were firmly outplayed on Saturday evening was kidding themselves, as the world champion New Zealanders powered out to a 31-6 lead in the second half, eventually winning by 20 points.
That said, there were many more positive signs for the Australians; the average result between these sides is a 37-7 win to NZ, while last week was a long shot from that.
Just like Eden Park is a fortress for the All Blacks, any game in their home country has been a lock-in for the Black Ferns, with only one loss from 12 matches – a 29-21 defeat to England last year – since 2013.
The records don’t stop there; the home team have only lost 10 times ever, boasting 82 wins and a draw at an 88 per cent winning rate, while the Aussies can claim just 16 wins in their history at 35 per cent.
In team news, there’s one change for the Australians, as Sarah Riordan comes back from a rolled ankle at training, sliding in for Alice Tonumaivao.
The Black Ferns name an unchanged side, though it’s unclear yet whether Aldora Itunu or Leilani Perese will run out at tighthead prop.
Prediction
You’d be mad to tip the Wallaroos, especially after their last time at Eden Park, with a 67-3 result not looking good. Don’t expect it to be a close game, but surely the Aussies are due for a few tries, in what will likely be a thrashing.
New Zealand by 35
Join The Roar for live scores and blog starting from 3pm (AEST).