New Zealand’s Black Ferns extended their unbeaten record against Australia with a dominating 62-0 victory in Brisbane.
Left-wing Katelyn Vaha’akolo scored four tries, while loose forwards Layla Sae, Mikaele Tu’u, and Kaipo Olsen-Baker were outstanding.
The Black Ferns’ offloading and handling skills were superior to the Wallaroos’. They led 29-0 at halftime, with Vaha’akolo having 13 tries in 10 internationals.
Other players, including Sae, Georgia Ponsonby, Sylvia Brunt, Ruby Tui, and Atlanta Lolohea, also scored for the Black Ferns.
Australia went close to scoring several times, but were repelled by the Black Ferns’ outstanding defense or their own errors.
A curious incident occurred in the first half when Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani was over the line, but referee Sara Cox ruled out the try. Arabella McKenzie’s sin-binning for an intentional knock-on complicated the situation for the home side.
The victory may partially compensate for Australia’s disappointment in losing to Canada in Christchurch earlier in the month, contributing to their current world ranking of No.3.
Black Ferns 62 (Katelyn Vaha’akolo 4, Georgia Ponsonby, Layla Sae, Ruby Tui, Sylvia Brunt, Atlanta Lolohea tries, penalty try; Renee Holmes 5 cons)
Australia 0
Halftime: 29-0
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