Black Ferns Beat Australia To Retain OReilly Cup

The Black Ferns have beaten Australia 43-3 in Hamilton on Saturday to retain the Laurie O'Reilly cup.

The Black Ferns scored seven tries in total, and led 31-0 at halftime, with a more determined Australia limiting the score in the second half. After holding the Black Ferns scoreless for the first 30 minutes in the second half, the red carding of Australian Bridie O'Gorman, saw the Black Ferns run in two further tries.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 43

Tries: Katelyn Vahaakolo 2, Krystal Murray, Patricia Maliepo, Sylvia Brunt, Lucy Jenkins, Martha Mataele, Conversions: Ruahei Demant 4

Australia Wallaroos: 3

Penalty: Carys Dallinger

Blacks Ferns Defeat USA With 14 Players

The Black Ferns have rebounded to beat USA 39-17 after the early shock of having halfback Iritana Hohaia sent off in the second minute after an accidental head clash. The Black Ferns trailed 17-5 at half time after also having Liana Mikaele-Tu’u sin-binned late in the half and dropping back to 13 players. The second half saw a few replacement players added to the Black Ferns, with five tries scored amid a stronger defensive effort.

Black Ferns: 39 

Tries: Grace Gago, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Pip Love, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Conversions: Renée Holmes 3, Conversion: Holmes 

USA: 17 

Tries: Paluvava’u Freda Tafuna, Rachel Johnson, Conversions: McKenzie Hawkins 2, Penalty: Hawkins