BUILDCORP WALLAROOS FALL TO BLACK FERNS AT EDEN PARK

Oct 24 • General News, International • 1126 Views • Comments Off on BUILDCORP WALLAROOS FALL TO BLACK FERNS AT EDEN PARK

The Buildcorp Wallaroos have fallen to New Zealand 67-3 their first Test match of 2016 at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

The Wallaroos, with 12 debutants in the side to face the Black Ferns, showed promising signs for the future but were at times their own worst enemy with some handling and defensive errors costing Australia the opportunity to build pressure on the opposition.

The match was a historic double-header with the Wallabies and All Blacks.

Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach Paul Verrell said: “We improved significantly in the second half against New Zealand but we did not live up to our full potential throughout the whole match and demonstrate the improvements we have made as a squad this year.

“New Zealand were a classy outfit today and showed the standard that is required at Test match level.

“For this squad, we need to continue our hard work and dedication and we will continue to improve.”

The Black Ferns started the match well, opening their account inside five minutes as the Australians made their return to Test match Rugby.

The Wallaroos built into the game and registered their first points after the New Zealanders were caught offside, with Captain Ash Hewson calmly slotting a penalty from 35 metres out taking the score to 7-3.

New Zealand’s experience at this level began to show with three quick tries to Chelsea Alley, Kendra Cocksedge and Selica Winiata taking the Black Ferns lead to 26-3.

With the Wallaroos scrambling to hold back the waves of New Zealand attacks, ill-discipline crept into the Australian game, with Louise Burrows sent to the sin bin.

The Wallaroos had their best passage of play just before half time with some patient play bringing them within New Zealand’s 22, but a strong defensive effort kept Australia at bay leaving the score at 31-3 at the break.

The Wallaroos defence improved significantly at start of the second half with New Zealand really having to work for their first points which eventually came in the 49^th minute.

Sarah Riordan had a standout game for the Wallaroos in her debut, with the fullback blasting her way into the second half with some impressive runs and defence.

Two tries to fullback, Selica Winiata continued the good form of the Black Ferns as they extended their lead to 48-3.

When Burrows was yellow carded for a second time in the final ten minutes, the home side pressed home the advantage to run in some late tries against a tiring defence to take the score to 67-3.

The Buildcorp Wallaroos have one more Test match on their tour to New Zealand next week.

How it Happened:
4 mins: Fiao’o Fa’amausili try, Kendra Cocksedge con NZ 7-0 AUS
10 mins: Ash Hewson pen, NZ 7-3 AUS
14 mins: Chelsea Alley try, Kendra Cocksedge con, NZ 14-3 AUS
19 mins: Kendra Cocksedge try, Kenda Cocksedge con, NZ 21-3 AUS
24 mins: Selica Winiata try, NZ 26-3 AUS
31 mins: Eloise Blackwell try, NZ 31-3 AUS
49 mins: Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali try NZ 38-3 AUS
59 mins: Selica Winiata try, NZ 43-3 AUS
66 mins: Selica Winiata try, NZ 48-3 AUS
76 mins: Fiao’o Fa’amausili try, NZ 53-3 AUS
78 mins: Selica Winiata try, Kelly Brazier con NZ 60-3 AUS
80 mins: Honey Hireme try, Kelly Brazier con, NZ 67-3 AUS

New Zealand 67 (Fiao’o Fa’amausili 2, Chelsea Alley, Kendra Cocksedge, Selica Winiata 4, Eloise Blackwell, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Honey Hireme Tries; Kendra Cocksedge 4 Kelly Brazier 2 cons; pens) defeated Australia 3 (Tries; cons; Ash Hewson pens)