Summary
Thanks for joining us this afternoon. The match report will be here shortly.
Player of the Match: Jorja Miller
No surprises there, Miller was sensational today and made it look easy out there. She exudes joy as she’s being presented with the award.
“It was so fun!” she said. “Coming from sevens, that trans-Tasman rivalry was right there. I love it out there and I think we’ve got an awesome group. We work so hard and push each other, so when it comes to game day, it’s just fun, we’ve done all the hard work.”
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu was happy with the effort from her team and thinks there is plenty to take into their upcoming games against Wales.
“We know we can play that 40 minute game against a top side, we just need to be able to do it 80 minutes,” she said.
Alana Bremner is happy with her team’s performance, particularly in the second half.
“We talked at half time – we just needed to clean up the breakdown and be more clinical,” she said. “Credit to Australia, they really pushed us there.”
Full-time: NZ 37-12
It was a strong first half from the Wallaroos and they will be pleased with the way they played for those 40 minutes, but the second half highlighted the difference between the two teams. Australia are a much-improved team, but they aren’t yet able to compete with the world’s best over 80 minutes.
The Black Ferns were at their relentless best in the second half and Woodman-Wickliffe was at her try-scoring best. Jorja Miller has made a seamless transition from sevens and was one of their best today.
TRY! NZ 37-12 AUS (Kavoa 79')
Caslick makes a break and goes close to scoring once the scrum is finally completed. Kavoa gets low from the pass after the ruck and drives with her legs to find grass over the tryline.
78 mins: Building the phases pays off and Australia get a penalty for NZ hands in the ruck. The players take their time setting the scrum. Then it gets reset for collapsing once again.
76 mins: It’s a good passage of play for Australia, but they make another handling error before they can build enough pressure to trouble NZ. The Ferns put in a kick that doesn’t go as deep as they would have liked and this time the Wallaroos are able to build some more phases and ask more questions of the defence.
74 mins: Another scrum feed for Australia and they get a penalty from it – Hinds’ kick for touch is a good one and they manage to force an error for NZ from the ensuing lineout. Piper Duck makes a great break down the wing.
72 mins: Miller nearly chases down a kick to score in what would have been spectacular fashion, but there’s a bit too much on it. Australia get a scrum feed and desperately try to get down into NZ’s half, but the defence is too much for them and they give away another penalty in attack. Brunt gets a little too excited with her kick and sends it way too deep over the dead ball line.
70 mins: Brazier has taken over the kicking duties for the last two tries, but she hasn’t had any more luck than Holmes did – both conversions waved away. However NZ aren’t fazed and continue to drive at the tryline – Brunt makes another huge break and the Wallaroos are forced to make desperate tackles time and again.
TRY! NZ 37-7 AUS (Tui 67')
Things are looking dire for the Wallaroos now, but they persist in the face of these horrors. It doesn’t get any easier, with the Black Ferns getting a penalty to piggyback them back down the field. The Wallaroos get some luck with an intercept to Tuinakauvadra. They build a few phases, but NZ force another turnover and Tui chases down a long kick to score in the corner.
TRY! NZ 32-7 AUS (Brunt 63')
The quick tap catches the Wallaroos off guard and the Ferns have multiple options, which the Wallaroos just can’t shut down. Eventually it’s Brunt who finds the line – fitting after it was her 50:22 that started this all off!
62 mins: Sylvia Brunt puts in a brilliant kick for NZ, which is ruled to be a 50:22, so they get the lineout in great field position. Another strong, dangerous run from Woodman-Wickliffe sends the defence into disarray and NZ dive for the line, but the Wallaroos are able to hold them up. Australia take the short restart and are able to win possession back, but they’re still in dangerous territory and then NZ get a penalty only 10m out.
60 mins: No conversion for Holmes this time, but NZ won’t be too worried about that in these windy conditions and with plenty of points on the board. Australia try to build a few phases before putting in a good clearing kick, but NZ come back at them hard in attack. The Wallaroos keep their defence strong and are rewarded with a penalty and a lineout in NZ’s half, but the Ferns steal the lineout.
TRY! NZ 27-7 AUS (Woodman-Wickliffe 57')
The pressure of NZ’s defence is getting too much for Australia now, they can’t build any momentum. NZ easily turns the ball over and again it’s Woodman-Wickliffe down the wing, showing strength and speed. Much like Peter Siddle, she gets a hattrick on her birthday.
56 mins: Australia gets the free use of the ball after early engagement in the scrum from NZ, but Brazier steals the ball for NZ. They kick it down field and the Wallaroos get the lineout, which they win in very messy fashion, pinned down in their own half. A penalty relieves some of the pressure.
54 mins: Lots of changes being rolled on to the field for both teams as Australia look to regain the momentum they found in the first half. However they lose the ball in the ruck and in the blink of an eye, NZ are on the attack again. The Wallaroos’ defence does the job this time and forces an error.
GOAL! NZ 22-7 AUS (Holmes 52')
Finally Holmes gets one where she wants it and adds the two points for the Ferns.
TRY! NZ 20-7 AUS (Miller 51')
Hinds gets a good line out break away, but the speed and footwork of Miller breaks the Wallaroos’ line and she evades the defenders to score.
50 mins: A huge clearing kick from NZ soon after receiving the ball puts the pressure back on Australia and it forces an error, which gives NZ another lineout in good field position. They win the lineout easily, but Australia defend the rolling maul well. Yet again, the Ferns are building phases right on the try line. Australia hold Bremner up over the line with some desperate defence.
TRY! NZ 15-7 AUS (Demant 46')
Continuous pressure on the line eventually pays off, as Demant finds a gap and pushes her way between some big forwards to slam the ball down over the line.
46 mins: A really good lineout from NZ puts them in great position, but yet another handling error hands the ball to Australia who have to really scramble to get the ball out and get a kick away. They can’t make a lot of ground and are in a tough defensive position again with another NZ rolling maul pushing forward.
44 mins: NZ win their own lineout, but Ponsonby loses the ball and the Wallaroos get an opportunity in attack. Moleka gets in a clearing kick down field and NZ are in attack in Australia’s half and then get a penalty to push them further down the field.
42 mins: NZ pounces on Australia’s return kick and Vaha’akolo makes a break down the wing, before the Ferns swing it to the other sideline, but lose the ball over the line. Australia lose the lineout, but get the ball back and Hinds boots it out the field and out of danger.
The Black Ferns kick off the second half is underway!
Half-time: NZ 10-7 AUS
Despite the Black Ferns being ahead on the scoreboard, the Wallaroos will probably be happier with that half of football. They led for much of the time and spent a decent amount of time inside the Ferns’ half. They lead in a number of key stats, including rucks won (43-27), mauls won (3-2), lineout success rate (87%-66%) and time in possession (52%-48%).
They still have plenty of work to do, as the possession hasn’t translated into points and they often lose the ball at key moments, but they will be buoyed by that start.
However, the Black Ferns will come out hard in the second half and tidying up a couple of things in attack will likely translate into more points if they’re able to do it.
It should be a fascinating second half, so stay with us as we take you through it!
40 mins: NZ again disrupt Australia’s lineout, but they manage to regather the ball and start to build some phases in attack, before putting in a decent, but not great kick. NZ look to score again before half-time, but Caslick steals the ball to shut them down.
38 mins: A big break gets the Ferns down into the Wallaroos’ half – a couple of handling errors have the crowd holding their breath, but they recollect the ball both times. NZ begin building phases inside Australia’s half. They’re looking strong, but then give away a penalty and undo all the momentum they’ve built.
36 mins: Another penalty for Australia from the restart and they get a line out on NZ’s 22, but immediately lose the ball.
TRY! NZ 10-7 AUS (Woodman-Wickliffe 34')
NZ come at Australia relentlessly on the line. NZ dive for the line and the referee refers it to the TMO saying she didn’t see the ball on the ground, only on a foot, so is currently ruling held up. The TMO concurs and play resumes with a line drop out from the Wallaroos. Woodman-Wickliffe again makes it look easy with a break down the wing and the Ferns are back in front.
32 mins: The Ferns get a fast rolling maul down field and Miller nearly scores after running around it, but can’t quite find the line and then the ball is lost. Australia get a scrum feed and try to make some metres with a kick, but again the wind catches it and NZ get a lineout only 5m out from Australia’s line.
30 mins: Australia’s defence is being tested, with the Ferns coming at them in waves. The Wallaroos think they’ve got an opportunity to push Woodman-Wickliffe over the sideline, but she’s so strong, they can’t manage it. Eventually NZ get a penalty and into their best field position in quite some time.
28 mins: NZ have a miscommunication in attack and send the ball over the sideline, so once again the Wallaroos have an attacking opportunity. Desiree Miller makes a break down the wing and Australia push down field, but again NZ steal the ball in the ruck.
26 mins: A messy exit from the scrum for the Wallaroos, but they manage to hold on to the ball and then NZ give away a penalty, so they have an opportunity to get into good field position again. Australia win the lineout, but lose the ball soon aftewards and NZ are on the counterattack.
24 mins: Yet more scrum resets and referee lectures…
22 mins: NZ make some good ground down the wing and push into Australia’s territory, but they give up possession in the ruck close to the 22m line and Australia get a chance to get out of trouble. The wind catches Australia’s kick as they try to do just that and they don’t make much ground at all, but they quickly force an error – the experienced Bremner knocking on as the defence rushes up at her.
20 mins: A quarter of the way through the game now and the Wallaroos will be pleased that they have held on to their lead and competed strongly in all facets of the game so far. Kaitlin Leaney gets some medical attention, which gives the players time to rest and regroup. Another good lineout for Australia when play resumes, but they lose the ball in the ruck and hand the ball back to NZ for another scrum.
18 mins: The Wallaroos win the line out again, but immediately concede a penalty in attack.
16 mins: Australia keeps the ball in hand against a wall of black in front of the tryline. They lose some metres, but persevere for 14 phases until the Ferns manage to steal the ball and Holmes puts in a deep kick to get the ball out of dangerous territory.
14 mins: A successful line out for the Wallaroos this time, but the ball is stolen by the Ferns in the ruck – they kick it deep and Miller makes a nice run down the middle of the field in return. A bit of a kicking duel ensues and Tia Hinds for the Wallaroos wins the battle with a great kick and then a line out win from the Ferns’ throw puts them in strong field position.
12 mins: It takes quite some time to get this scrum reset. “There is far too much complaining for the first scrum of the game,” says the referee. Finally the scrum is completed to her satisfaction and the Wallaroos get their own chance at moving the ball nicely. Ellis makes some good ground down the wing, but Australia lose the ball in the next play. However a penalty against the Ferns returns the ball to them.
10 mins: Great ball movement from the Ferns as they swing the ball wide, but Australia’s defence is up to the challenge and they manage to disrupt the breakdown enough to force an error. We get our first scrum of the game, with the Wallaroos getting the feed. It’s immediately reset after collapsing on the wet ground.
8 mins: A little pause while Tania Naden from the Wallaroos is assessed by medical staff after going down in a tackle. She’s all good to continue. There’s another line out for Australia, but Bremner steals it and then NZ gets a penalty to add insult to injury for the Wallaroos.
GOAL! NZ 5-7 AUS (Moleka 7')
The try is converted and the Wallaroos go ahead!
Updated
TRY! NZ 5-5 AUS (Caslick 4')
No contest from NZ on the line out and Australia get into a good position and create some space for Caslick to dive over the line.
Updated
4 mins: The conversion is missed and the Wallaroos get a much-needed penalty and win the line out. They put on a rolling maul close to the line. It’s nearly a try, but the referee rules it’s held up. She was playing advantage, so the Wallaroos get another penalty.
TRY! NZ 5-0 AUS (Woodman-Wickliffe, 1')
The Ferns put in an early, deep kick, which is fumbled, but fortunately goes backwards. Ellis the debutant gets an early touch, but NZ are ruthless when they get the ball back, with Woodman-Wickliffe finding space on the outside and running over for an easy try.
Updated
The Wallaroos have kicked off after a spine-tingling haka from the Black Ferns and we’re underway!
Updated
The teams are on the field now for the anthems and pre-match ceremony,
All three (Kiwi) commentators believe the Ferns will win by 13+ today, but the Wallaroos won’t mind being written off like that. The key for them will be to not get blown off the park from the start and stay in the match as long as they can. Meanwhile, NZ will want to be clinical and ruthless in the way they play and not give the Australians even a sniff of victory.
Plenty of rain around in Wellington at the moment, as well as the customary wind. It’s going to be a tough and muddy battle out there today. Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp speaking before the match says the Wallaroos have started a few years behind the Black Ferns, but that the team have tried to really focus on themselves and their own game.
Yapp also has plenty of praise for the team’s young debutant today – 17-year-old Waiaria Ellis, who will play on the wing. Yapp says she is a very mature and composed player who brings a lot to the side.
Updated
Team list: New Zealand
15. Renee Holmes
14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
12. Sylvia Brunt
13. Stacey Waaka
12. Katelyn Vahaakolo
10. Ruahei Demant (co-c)
9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
7. Jorja Miller
6. Alana Bremner (co-c)
5. Chelsea Bremner
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
3. Tanya Kalounivale
2. Georgia Ponsoby
1. Chryss Viliko
Replacements: Vici-Rose Green, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Amy Rule, Laura Bayfield, Layla Sae, Iritana Hohaia, Kelly Brazier, Ruby Tui
Updated
Team list: Australia
15. Faitala Moleka
14. Waiaria Ellis
13. Charlotte Caslick
12. Trilleen Pomare
11. Desiree Miller
10. Tia Hinds
9. Layne Morgan
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra
7. Ashley Marsters
6. Siokapesi Palu (c)
5. Michaela Leonard
4. Kaitlan Leaney
3. Bridie O’Gorman
2. Tania Naden
1. Faliki Pohiva
Replacements: Adiana Talakai, Lydia Kavoa, Eva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith
Preamble
Hello and welcome to what is shaping up to be an exciting afternoon of rugby action! The Wallaroos are taking on the Black Ferns in windy Wellington, with the aim of causing an upset and taking their first ever win against their neighbours across the ditch. It’s a huge ask – the teams last met in Newcastle in May as part of the Pacific Four series, where the Ferns claimed a 38-12 win.
The Wallaroos have been an improved side in recent times, pulling off a 27-19 win over the USA during that same series, and with the addition of sevens star Charlotte Caslick into the mix this year, they have shown plenty of spark.
However the Black Ferns are an incredibly formidable team, not least because they feature Portia Woodman-Wickliffe – New Zealand’s leading women’s fifteen-a-side try scorer of all time.
With a World Cup on the horizon, this is important preparation for both teams, and though the Black Ferns are heavily favoured, the Wallaroos will be throwing everything at this match to try to pull off an unlikely win.
Kick off is at 4:30pm local time (2:30pm AEST), so let’s get into it!
