MATCH REPORT: Black Ferns v Wallaroos | O'Reilly Cup
The match at Auckland's Go Media Stadium was the Wallaroos' 100th Test but the occasion wasn't enough to inspire a first O'Reilly Cup win.
His daughter Lauren O'Reilly, a Black Fern herself, presented the trophy. For more than 25 years she has been a legendary teacher at Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth.
Despite not having played a Test since ANZAC Day (April 25), the Black Ferns were in sync. In 31 consecutive wins against Australia since 1994, they have scored more points only twice.
The forwards were destructive, urgent and skilled. No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker rampaged through 16 carries, two linebreaks and 15 tackles. Lock Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu made a terrifying 35-metre run, stepping the fullback like a ballet dancer to set up captain Ruahei Demant for the third try in the opening quarter. Despite a spell in the sin bin, Vaipulu showed the abrasive qualities that have helped her win three Super Rugby Aupiki titles with the Blues.
Halfback Maia Joseph distributed swiftly and occasionally darted, scoring a second-half try. Demant was cunning and precise.
In her first appearance for the Black Ferns this year, fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee took less than five minutes to score a try, finishing carries of brute force by the forwards. The World Rugby Most Promising Player of the Year nailed the sideline conversion and has kicked 19 goals from 25 attempts in her career.
The Black wave was relentless. Prop Chryss Viliko celebrated her fourth Test try, and despite Vaipulu’s trip to the bin, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u barged over for a fourth unanswered try in the 36th minute.
The pick of the Black Ferns’ tries was winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga’s 24th international score 10 minutes into the second half. Joseph received the ball back from Sylvia Brunt following a scrum, then fired a cut-out pass to the left where Leti-I’iga showcased her breathless gallop.
WATCH: Highlights from the Black Ferns v Wallaroos (available in selected territories)
Special moments for new Black Ferns
With the result settled, the Black Ferns emptied the bench with debuts for outside back Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a and loose forward turned lock Amarante Sititi. Both scored tries. Tuliau-Tua’a scored from a charge down where she refused to abort an apparently fruitless chase. Sititi was another hard-to-handle from close range.
Starting debutant Elinor-Plum King impressed on the openside with 16 tackles and two turnovers.
Wallaroos make their mark
To their credit, Australia, who have won 35 Tests, didn’t roll over completely. Super Rugby’s leading try and points scorer Desiree Miller finished a quality set-piece move later in the first half.
In the second spell, first five Waiaria Ellis dummied to glory at 59-7, and the Wallaroos lineout drive wasn’t lacking grunt or accuracy. Former Black Ferns loose forward Pia Tapsell became the first woman to play for both countries, and Australia’s leading all-time Sevens try scorer Maddison Levi added a spark on debut.
The Black Ferns have won 119 of 144 Tests. The referee was Maggie Cogger-Orr in her 30th Test.
Scoring Summary: Black Ferns v Wallaroos
Black Ferns: 66 (Braxton Sorenson-McGee, Chryss Viliko, Ruahei Demant, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Maia Roos, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Vici-Rose Green, Maia Joseph, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a, Amarante Sititi; Sorenson-McGee 8 cons) Australia: 19 (Desiree Miller, Waiaria Ellis, Brittany Merlo tries; Miller 2 cons) HT: 26-7
