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.
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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).
Daveski
Guest
Scintillating stuff bro
Lara
Guest
Again some nice skills, great hit ups, solid defence from both teams. That NZ try by the right winger was right up there, fantastic finish.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Full Time 80' - Thoughts on the game and series roarers? New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
80' - Wickliffe is taken down, as NZ look to go wide, chip and chase but Wallaroos had it and Morgan cleared it. Black Ferns have it now, Saili is taken over the sideline, there's the siren and that is fulltime! The Black Ferns have claimed the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy in this series with a 31-11 win last weekend in Sydney, before a 45-17 win tonight in Auckland, vs the Wallaroos. Pretty scrappy second half, but the job has been done for NZ. Thanks for joining me for both games everyone, as NZ romped home here. Stay tuned for heaps more rugby this weekend, as the Rugby Championship continues via New Zealand and Australia tonight, while tomorrow Argentina and South Africa will play off tomorrow morning. New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
79' - 8 inside Black Ferns territory, Wallaroos have it off the back of a scrappy lineout. Out to the right, Maguire kicks, and knocked on by Murphy. Black Ferns to feed a scrum on their own 22, 90 seconds left New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
75' - Aussies clear their 22, find touch about 30 out. Wallaroos come away with it, it's messy though. Crystal Maguire comes away with it and a penalty to Aus. New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
Penalty 75' - Black Ferns now have it, and they go to the left as Cotrell is dragged down, 17 out. Penalty to the Wallaroos. New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
Conversion 74' - The kick is good as well! Last time these sides played, it finished 44-17. New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 72' - Scrum feed to the Wallaroos, now they have it outside the 22, now Black Ferns are driven back as they win the ball. Wallaroos now turn it back over, they are 17 out. Aussies have it 4 out, try now! First of the second half, and well done by Ngaha for Australia. New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 15
Tom English
Roar Guru
70' - Black Ferns knock on the restart, Wallaroos will feed a scrum after no advantage. New Zealand Black Ferns: 45 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 68' - Black Ferns persist with that kicking behind the Wallaroos line, this time it finds touch and the Aussie will take a lineout- oh the Black Ferns come up with it, and they have it near the line and onto Winiata who scores the try! NZ into the 40s, here's the kick. It's successful, what a second half by the women in black. New Zealand Black Ferns: 43 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Julz
Guest
I'll tell you what, this NZ womans team is a good match up for the mens Wallabies..
Tom English
Roar Guru
62' - Cocksedge chips through, Murphy is back there and makes a bit of a break, Wallaroos now have it 12 inside their own half. Savage breaks two tackles and now here's a penalty to Aus. New Zealand Black Ferns: 38 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
61' - Well now the Wallaroos have it, Shanice Parker makes a run, Aussies almost up to halfway and now Murphy breaks through two tackles, loses the ball and we will have a scrum to NZ. New Zealand Black Ferns: 38 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
60' - Kick at goal by Cocksedge- nope, the buffer will stay at 28 points. New Zealand Black Ferns: 38 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
60' - Penalty for the Wallaroos, very much a relieving one. Quickly off the scrum a well worked play out to Wickliffe who looks to have scored! Try awarded! New Zealand Black Ferns: 38 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
56' - Call is no try. Wallaroos scrum, 5 out. New Zealand Black Ferns: 33 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
56' - Winiata and Love bring it up, penalty as well. Now Black Ferns have it, chip and chase, Treherne has gathered 6 out, Wallaroos need to clear and do. Lineout won by NZ, 15 out. Drive keeps going, now they peel off via Winiata and out to Phillipa Love who may have scored- did she drop it though?! New Zealand Black Ferns: 33 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 47' - NZ getting consecutive penalties, now they have it within the Aus 22. Waaka has been quiet tonight, out wide they go- oh dropped right near the line. Black Ferns have it back now, Cocksedge goes right, they sure aren't far away. Ref blows the penalty, and Emily Robinson is carded. New Zealand Black Ferns: 26 Australia Wallaroos: 10
Tom English
Roar Guru
Penalty 47' - NZ getting consecutive penalties, now they have it within the Aus 22. Waaka has been quiet tonight, out wide they go- oh dropped right near the line. Black Ferns have it back now, Cocksedge goes right, they sure aren't far away. Ref blows the penalty, and Emily Robinson is carded. New Zealand Black Ferns: 26 Australia Wallaroos: 10