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Devastating scoreline registered as Black Ferns obliterate the Wallaroos
By AAP
The Wallaroos have been no match for world champions New Zealand, crashing to a 50-0 loss to open their Pacific Four rugby campaign.
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Former elite netballer Mererangi Paul bagged a double on debut while teenage centre Syliva Brunt also crossed twice for the Kiwis at Brisbane’s Kayo Stadium on Thursday night.
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 try.
The Black Ferns kept the Australians on the back foot with some physical defence while they showed silky skills in attack to end home hopes of a breakthrough win over the trans-Tasman rivals.
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.
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.
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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 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.
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But the Black Ferns were relentless at the breakdown and kept the pressure on the brave Wallaroos, adding four tries before th e 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 to night,” the five-eighth said.
“We have changed some players but haven’t changed the Black Ferns style that we want to play.”
Watched the game and thought that the Wallaroos looked like a club side playing against a test side Black Ferns. The Wallaroos didn't seem to know what to do at times, whether to go into the ruck to clean out or to stand off. Very indecisive. The Set piece was OK but the Wallaroos dropped ball, got caught out behind the gainline multiple times and just looked amateurish. Full marks to the Black Ferns they were really good, a polished exhibition of how to play rugby. But the Wallaroos looked like they didn't know what to do. They looked way out of their depth. Just lacking the basic qualities that are needed to play rugby. To me IMO it looked very much like a coaching problem, either that or it was the Wallaroos totally overawed.
Lot of handling errors, but that’s a first game/new combinations thing because when they put it together they were impressive.
That first Mererangi Paul try was sick!
The Aussie prop, Cheetham I think her name is played great in a team getting a hiding.
Well, I didn't see that coming, what a good old fashioned belting. Plenty of cobwebs from the BFs though & they'll need to address multiple work-ons, but the potential seems unlimited. Plus, only 6 starters from the RWC Final were in the run-on squad, & then add in the return of Fluhler etc - & wow! The future is mega.