Big second half earns Black Ferns victory
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
A second-half scoring spree has seend the Black Ferns to a 37-12 victory over the Wallaroos in Wellington, the sides final match in New Zealand before the World Cup.
Australia have never beaten the Black Ferns in 28 previous attempts and, despite an early brave effort, they were outclassed by the current world champions.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Sevens star Jorja Miller put in a superb game at openside flanker, scoring a stunning individual try as well as forcing turnovers and strong tackling too.
The Ferns were up by just 10-7 at the break but five tries in the second half had the score balloon ouot.
They struck after just 60 seconds, when Miller put wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in space on the right flank for the first of her three tries.
Australia responded straight away, their lineout maul repelled, before Charlotte Caslick swept to the blindside and crashed though the defence.
More than half an hour later, the Ferns finally regained the lead, with Woodman-Wickliffe waltzing over in the corner to take a 10-7 lead at oranges.
Things clicked into gear for the Ferns in the second half. Captain Ruahei Demant displayed her power, as she burst through three defenders to find the line.
Miller then produced a scorcher, claiming a goal-line dropout, breaking the line, stepping the cover and fending the final tackler in a piece of individual brilliance.
They continued to pile on the points, as Woodman-Wickliffe bagged her ha-trick, when she was put one on one with her opposite.
After setting things up with a 50-22 kick, centre Sylvia Brunt barged her way over to well and truly seal the result.
Replacement Ruby Tui put the icing on the cake, as she tore after an Iritana Hohaia boxkick, easily winning the race to the ball.
Black Ferns 37 (Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 3 tries’, Ruahei Demant, Jorja Miller, Sylvia Brunt, Ruby Tui tries; Renee Holmes con) Australia 12 (Charlotte Caslick, Lydia Kavoa tries; Faitala Moleka con ). HT: 10-7..
