Thanks for joining us this afternoon. The match report will be here shortly.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Player of the Match: Jorja Miller<\/p>\n No surprises there, Miller was sensational today and made it look easy out there. She exudes joy as she\u2019s being presented with the award.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was so fun!\u201d she said. \u201cComing from sevens, that trans-Tasman rivalry was right there. I love it out there and I think we\u2019ve got an awesome group. We work so hard and push each other, so when it comes to game day, it\u2019s just fun, we\u2019ve done all the hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know we can play that 40 minute game against a top side, we just need to be able to do it 80 minutes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alana Bremner is happy with her team\u2019s performance, particularly in the second half.<\/p>\n \u201cWe talked at half time \u2013 we just needed to clean up the breakdown and be more clinical,\u201d she said. \u201cCredit to Australia, they really pushed us there.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Full-time: NZ 37-12<\/p>\n 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\u2019t yet able to compete with the world\u2019s best over 80 minutes.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 37-12 AUS (Kavoa 79′)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 78 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 76 mins: <\/strong>It\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 74 mins: <\/strong>Another scrum feed for Australia and they get a penalty from it \u2013 Hinds\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 72 mins: <\/strong>Miller nearly chases down a kick to score in what would have been spectacular fashion, but there\u2019s a bit too much on it. Australia get a scrum feed and desperately try to get down into NZ\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 70 mins: <\/strong>Brazier has taken over the kicking duties for the last two tries, but she hasn\u2019t had any more luck than Holmes did \u2013 both conversions waved away. However NZ aren\u2019t fazed and continue to drive at the tryline \u2013 Brunt makes another huge break and the Wallaroos are forced to make desperate tackles time and again.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 37-7 AUS (Tui 67′)<\/p>\n Things are looking dire for the Wallaroos now, but they persist in the face of these horrors. It doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 32-7 AUS (Brunt 63′)<\/p>\n The quick tap catches the Wallaroos off guard and the Ferns have multiple options, which the Wallaroos just can\u2019t shut down. Eventually it\u2019s Brunt who finds the line \u2013 fitting after it was her 50:22 that started this all off!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 62 mins: <\/strong>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\u2019re still in dangerous territory and then NZ get a penalty only 10m out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 60 mins: <\/strong>No conversion for Holmes this time, but NZ won\u2019t 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\u2019s half, but the Ferns steal the lineout.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 27-7 AUS (Woodman-Wickliffe 57′)<\/p>\n The pressure of NZ\u2019s defence is getting too much for Australia now, they can\u2019t build any momentum. NZ easily turns the ball over and again it\u2019s Woodman-Wickliffe down the wing, showing strength and speed. Much like Peter Siddle, she gets a hattrick on her birthday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 56 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 54 mins: <\/strong>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\u2019 defence does the job this time and forces an error.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! NZ 22-7 AUS (Holmes 52′)<\/p>\n Finally Holmes gets one where she wants it and adds the two points for the Ferns.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 20-7 AUS (Miller 51′)<\/p>\n Hinds gets a good line out break away, but the speed and footwork of Miller breaks the Wallaroos\u2019 line and she evades the defenders to score.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 50 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 15-7 AUS (Demant 46′)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 mins: <\/strong>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\u2019t make a lot of ground and are in a tough defensive position again with another NZ rolling maul pushing forward.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44 mins: <\/strong>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\u2019s half and then get a penalty to push them further down the field.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 mins: <\/strong>NZ pounces on Australia\u2019s return kick and Vaha\u2019akolo 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Black Ferns kick off the second half is underway!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half-time: NZ 10-7 AUS<\/p>\n 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\u2019 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%).<\/p>\n They still have plenty of work to do, as the possession hasn\u2019t translated into points and they often lose the ball at key moments, but they will be buoyed by that start.<\/p>\n 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\u2019re able to do it.<\/p>\n It should be a fascinating second half, so stay with us as we take you through it!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 40 mins: <\/strong>NZ again disrupt Australia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 mins: <\/strong>A big break gets the Ferns down into the Wallaroos\u2019 half \u2013 a couple of handling errors have the crowd holding their breath, but they recollect the ball both times. NZ begin building phases inside Australia\u2019s half. They\u2019re looking strong, but then give away a penalty and undo all the momentum they\u2019ve built.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 36 mins: <\/strong>Another penalty for Australia from the restart and they get a line out on NZ\u2019s 22, but immediately lose the ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 10-7 AUS (Woodman-Wickliffe 34′)<\/p>\n NZ come at Australia relentlessly on the line. NZ dive for the line and the referee refers it to the TMO saying she didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32 mins: <\/strong>The Ferns get a fast rolling maul down field and Miller nearly scores after running around it, but can\u2019t 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\u2019s line.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30 mins: <\/strong>Australia\u2019s defence is being tested, with the Ferns coming at them in waves. The Wallaroos think they\u2019ve got an opportunity to push Woodman-Wickliffe over the sideline, but she\u2019s so strong, they can\u2019t manage it. Eventually NZ get a penalty and into their best field position in quite some time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 26 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 24 mins: <\/strong>Yet more scrum resets and referee lectures\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 22 mins: <\/strong>NZ make some good ground down the wing and push into Australia\u2019s 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\u2019s kick as they try to do just that and they don\u2019t make much ground at all, but they quickly force an error \u2013 the experienced Bremner knocking on as the defence rushes up at her.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 20 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 mins: <\/strong>The Wallaroos win the line out again, but immediately concede a penalty in attack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 mins: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 14 mins: <\/strong>A successful line out for the Wallaroos this time, but the ball is stolen by the Ferns in the ruck \u2013 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\u2019 throw puts them in strong field position.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 mins: <\/strong>It takes quite some time to get this scrum reset. \u201cThere is far too much complaining for the first scrum of the game,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 mins: <\/strong>Great ball movement from the Ferns as they swing the ball wide, but Australia\u2019s 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\u2019s immediately reset after collapsing on the wet ground.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 mins: <\/strong>A little pause while Tania Naden from the Wallaroos is assessed by medical staff after going down in a tackle. She\u2019s all good to continue. There\u2019s another line out for Australia, but Bremner steals it and then NZ gets a penalty to add insult to injury for the Wallaroos.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! NZ 5-7 AUS (Moleka 7′)<\/p>\n The try is converted and the Wallaroos go ahead!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.24 EDT<\/p>\n TRY! NZ 5-5 AUS (Caslick 4′)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.24 EDT<\/p>\n 4 mins: <\/strong>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\u2019s nearly a try, but the referee rules it\u2019s held up. She was playing advantage, so the Wallaroos get another penalty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! NZ 5-0 AUS (Woodman-Wickliffe, 1′)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Portia Woodman-Wickliffe charges towards the tryline to score. Photograph: Phil Walter\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.24 EDT<\/p>\n The Wallaroos have kicked off after a spine-tingling haka from the Black Ferns and we\u2019re underway!<\/p>\n New Zealand perform a haka. Photograph: Phil Walter\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.36 EDT<\/p>\n The teams are on the field now for the anthems and pre-match ceremony,<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n All three (Kiwi) commentators believe the Ferns will win by 13+ today, but the Wallaroos won\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Plenty of rain around in Wellington at the moment, as well as the customary wind. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Yapp also has plenty of praise for the team\u2019s young debutant today \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Waiaria Ellis. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.26 EDT<\/p>\n Team list: New Zealand<\/p>\n 15. Renee Holmes<\/p>\n 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe<\/p>\n 12. Sylvia Brunt<\/p>\n 13. Stacey Waaka<\/p>\n 12. Katelyn Vahaakolo<\/p>\n 10. Ruahei Demant (co-c)<\/p>\n 9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane<\/p>\n 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu\u2019u<\/p>\n 7. Jorja Miller<\/p>\n 6. Alana Bremner (co-c)<\/p>\n 5. Chelsea Bremner<\/p>\n 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos<\/p>\n 3. Tanya Kalounivale<\/p>\n 2. Georgia Ponsoby<\/p>\n 1. Chryss Viliko<\/p>\n Replacements: <\/strong>Vici-Rose Green, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Amy Rule, Laura Bayfield, Layla Sae, Iritana Hohaia, Kelly Brazier, Ruby Tui<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.18 EDT<\/p>\n Team list: Australia<\/p>\n 15. Faitala Moleka<\/p>\n 14. Waiaria Ellis<\/p>\n 13. Charlotte Caslick<\/p>\n 12. Trilleen Pomare<\/p>\n 11. Desiree Miller<\/p>\n 10. Tia Hinds<\/p>\n 9. Layne Morgan<\/p>\n 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra<\/p>\n 7. Ashley Marsters<\/p>\n 6. Siokapesi Palu (c)<\/p>\n 5. Michaela Leonard<\/p>\n 4. Kaitlan Leaney<\/p>\n 3. Bridie O\u2019Gorman<\/p>\n 2. Tania Naden<\/p>\n 1. Faliki Pohiva<\/p>\n Replacements: <\/strong>Adiana Talakai, Lydia Kavoa, Eva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith<\/p>\n
![\"Megan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Megan_Maurice_(2)_(ef04def6065c81ceb7d81c967f1e2095c2d32a4d).png\")
Megan Maurice<\/p>\n