The Wallaroos have been no match for world champions New Zealand, crashing to a 50-0 loss to open their Pacific Four women’s rugby series campaign.
Any hopes that the Australians were bridging the gap on their trans-Tasman rivals was erased early at Brisbane’s Kayo Stadium on Thursday night with the visitors dominating every aspect of play.
The tournament also involves Canada and the USA, who the Wallaroos face next with two games in Ottawa.
They could be without exciting young fullback Faitala Moleka, with the 18-year-old suffering a leg injury while attempting to stop Alana Bremner’s 74th minute try.
Wallaroos stand-in captain Michaela Leonard, replacing injured flanker Piper Duck in the role, said her team let themselves down with poor execution.
“It was the execution of the little skills – it definitely wasn’t the performance we wanted and definitely not the performance we trained for this week,” the Western Force lock told Stan Sport.
“We’ll head back to training and work out our attack shapes and execution of our catch-pass.
“We’ll definitely come out firing for the next two (games).”
Mererangi Paul is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the Black Ferns’ big win over the Wallaroos at Kayo Stadium on June 29, 2023 in Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Former elite netballer Mererangi Paul bagged a double on debut while teenage centre Syliva Brunt, named player of the match, also crossed twice for the Kiwis.
The Black Ferns kept the Australians on the back foot with some physical defence while they showed silky skills in attack to quickly end home hopes of a breakthrough victory.
New Zealand have now won 24 straight against Australia, continuing to ride high under new coach Allan Bunting who took over after their home World Cup triumph last October.
Australia five-eighth Carys Dallinger, playing her first Test against her country of birth, struggled to make an impact with the Wallaroos’ flat attack easily picked off by their opponents.
The game was effectively over by halftime, with the visitors leading 26-0 and making ground at will through the middle and dominating the ruck.
Brunt, 19, showed her footwork to dot down in the 23rd minute, and then again 10 minutes later.
Prop Tanya Kalounivale opened the scoring when she charged over off a set move from a line-out while debutante Paul scored either side of halftime, the winger chipping ahead to score her first Test try.
The Wallaroos embrace for their national anthem during the Pacific Four Series & O’Reilly Cup match between at Kayo Stadium on June 29, 2023 in Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The 24-year-old played netball with the Northern Mystics in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership before taking up Sevens rugby in 2022 and then 15-a-side last year.
Arabella McKenzie replaced Queensland playmaker Dallinger early in the second half and straightened the attack.
But the Black Ferns were relentless at the breakdown and kept the pressure on the brave Wallaroos, adding four tries before the final whistle.
New Zealand co-captain Ruahei Demant praised the work of the six debutantes.
“There’s definitely been a change of personnel and myself, the girls and the coaches are proud of our debutantes tonight,” the five-eighth said.
“We have changed some players but haven’t changed the Black Ferns style that we want to play.”
AAP
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
And then, there were two. The NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua will meet at Ballymore to decide who lifts the Super Rugby Women's trophy,…
Eight months after being called out for a lack of equality and opportunity, Rugby Australia took another step forward on Monday in moving their…
And then, there were four. Super Rugby Women's enters it's final fortnight, and with the Reds and Rebels campaigns coming to a close, this…
The final round of the regular season of Super Rugby Women's is set to deliver a lot of surprises. The Reds will look to…
Rugby Australia Chairman Dan Herbert claims the code’s governing body is making “steady progress” in rebuilding the trust of the Australian rugby community and…
The penultimate round of Super Rugby Women’s regular season kicks off with a do-or-die clash between the Rebels and Reds to keep their season…
