The biggest rivalry in women’s rugby league returns as New Zealand and Australia square off in Auckland off the back of the maiden NRL women’s competition. Join The Roar from 3pm (AEDT) for live coverage of the match.
The Australia Jillaroos will go into the women’s Trans-Tasman test as heavy favourites following a successful first season of the NRL women’s competition.
Brad Donald has made a number of changes from the side that won the World Cup at the end of last year however, the core of the squad is very much the same.
Ali Brigginshaw has had the captaincy thrust upon her after heroically steering the Brisbane Broncos to the premiership in a season where the Queensland club went undefeated.
She joins Maroons halves partner Zahara Temara in a spine which also features fellow Broncos and Queensland representatives Chelsea Baker at fullback and Brittany Breayley at dummy-half.
While their backline and spine is stellar featuring the likes of Baker, Brigginshaw, and centre pairing Jessica Sergis and Isabelle Kelly, the biggest challenge lies in the middle of the park.
Australia’s edge and loose forwards are a solid trio however it is up front in the forwards where they lack size, even though Heather Ballinger and Elianna Walton boast plenty of experience.
Coming against a New Zealand forward rotation consisting of Ngatokotoru Arakua and Aieshaleigh Smalley will be no easy feat.
New Zealand have blooded a new-look backline with Apii Nicholls at fullback and Honey Hireme co-captaining the side from centre alongside lock forward Laura Mariu.
NRLW grand final woman of the match Kimiora Nati will wear the No.7 jumper, outside of Raecene McGregor whose Dragons were unsuccessful in their first season.
Hireme and Maitua Feterika will be granted the near-impossible task of containing Jessica Sergis and Isabelle Kelly, shaping as a key battle on the flanks.
The last time the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns met was in the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup final when Australia came up with a 23-16 victory to win their second consecutive title.
Prediction
The Jillaroos will prove too good for New Zealand with Ali Brigginshaw dazzling as she steers Australia to victory.
Australia by 10.
Join The Roar from 3pm (AEDT) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar’s coverage of New Zealand Kiwi Ferns vs Australian Jillaroos. In an entertaining affair, Australia forged an early lead and held out in the end when it mattered to record a two-point victory over their fierce rivals. Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Australia come away with a two-point victory over New Zealand in a thrilling women's Trans-Tasman Test. New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
80' Penalty against Taufa, time runs down. New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
79' Temara kicks down the ground, Nicholls brings it back to the 30 metre line. 30 seconds left. New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
79' Hireme stopped 18 metres out, pulls up lame. McGregor down the short side, kicks and Brown fields it. New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
77' Strong run by Taufa to Australia's 30 metre line. Brigginshaw grubbers on the last and finds touch in-goal. Seven tackle set, 20 metre restart New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL! Baker from the left touchline, it waves away to the right of the posts. Australia lead by two, four minutes remaining New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
TRY! ISABELLE KELLY 75' Breayley scoots down the short side, Hancock charging through the middle. Brigginshaw to Temara, apsses to Baker and Kelly goes over in the corner. New Zealand 24 Australia 26
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
74' Wheeler offloads, knocked on by Kani. Repeat set Jillaroos New Zealand 24 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
73' Temara grubbers, Te Kawa scoops it up and evades three defenders, tackled ten metres off her own line. New Zealand 24 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
71' Hale with a chip to the sideline, bounces for Feterika who is tackled, turn over. New Zealand 24 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
70' Play restarts, Nuuausala with a big charge up to the 30 metre line. New Zealand 24 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL! Nicholls guides it over from in front and New Zealand lead by two points with ten minutes remaining. New Zealand 24 Australia 22
sean
Guest
Great game...
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
TRY! AMBER KANI 68' Maynard to Smalley, she can't crack the line. Nuuausala burrows into the Jillaroos' line and is driven back. McGregor kicks, charged down by Gray, McGregor gets possession. Kani pokes through the line to score and level the scores with a kick to come from in front of the sticks. New Zealand 22 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
67' McGregor goes to Feterika, tackled 15 metres out by Kelly. Hireme bursts down the left touchline, goes within six metres of the line. McGregor forces the pass, Temara knocks on. New Zealand 18 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
65' Play resumes, Brigginshaw puts it to ground from the Nicholls kick-off New Zealand 18 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL! Baker misses to the left of the posts New Zealand 18 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
TRY! ISABELLE KELLY 64' Baker breaks through, dragged down by Arakua. Isabelle Kelly finds a gap in New Zealand's line and scores under the posts New Zealand 18 Australia 22
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
63' Hireme with a good run up to the 30 metre line, McGregor grubbers, Te Kawa chasing but Brown gets there New Zealand 18 Australia 18