Black Ferns Win Opening Rugby World Cup Match

The All Black Ferns have won their opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup over Australia 41-17 in Auckland on Saturday night.

The Black Ferns got off to a slow start, dropping the ball from the opening kick-off, and conceding early penalties. They trailed 17-0 after 28 minutes after two tries to wing Bienne Terita and a further to Ivania Wong, but by half time had pulled it back to 17-12 after tries to lock Joanah Ngan-Woo and Portia Woodman.

The second half saw the Black Ferns level the match with Woodman's second try in the 47th minutes, but then Australia suffered a double blow. Winger Ivania Wong was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, and captain Shannon Parry also off soon after a shoulder to head contact in a tackle. Black Ferns replacement prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohulock then scored with Woodman following with her hat-trick and Ruby Tui also getting a double.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 41 

Tries: Portia Woodman 3, Ruby Tui 2, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Conversions: Renee Holmes 2, Kendra Cocksedge

Australia Wallaroos: 17 

Tries: Bienne Terita 2, Ivania Wong, Conversion: Arabella McKenzie

Black Ferns Win Second Match Against Australia

The New Zealand Black Ferns have beaten the Australian Wallaroo's in Adelaide 22-14. It was a different match to the last start 52-5 win in Christchurch, with the Australians scoring the first try, and their defense forcing multiple errors from the Black Ferns. Playing into the wind in the first half, the Black Ferns kept in in close with the forwards, but struggled with the combative nature from the Australians, and it was on defense that the they went down to 14 players when Chelsea Semple left the field after a head clash in a tackle saw her sin-binned. The Black Ferns recovered to lead 10-7 at half time, but half much to work on before the Rugby World Cup.

The Black Ferns have confirmed they will play a pre-tournament test against Japan at Eden Park on September, in what will be a double header with the All Black v Australia match.

New Zealand Black Ferns: 22 

Tries: Luka Connor, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kendra Reynolds, Conversions: Ruahei Demant 2, Penalty: Demant

Australia: 14 

Tries: Bienne Terita 2, Conversions: Arabella McKenzie 2