Black Ferns keep Wallaroos scoreless

Black Fern midfielder Sylvia Brunt scored two tries in the win over the Wallaroos.
Photo: JONO SEARLE

The Black Ferns have kicked off their 2023 season with a 50-0 win over Australia in Brisbane.

In their first game since the Rugby World Cup final victory, and their first under new head coach Allan Bunting, the Black Ferns continued their dominance over their trans-Tasman neighbours.

The Wallaroos have never beaten the Black Ferns and despite Bunting opting to hand debuts to three starters compared to a settled Australian side New Zealand were in control on the scoreboard early.

Front-rower Tanya Kalounivale crossed for the Black Ferns’ first try in the 11th minute and teenage midfielder Sylvia Brunt scored the second and third tries to extend the lead.

Winger Mererangi Paul on debut finished off the fourth try when she followed through on her own chip kick to beat the Wallaroos defenders to touch the ball in the in-goal for a 26-0 lead at half-time.

The game which doubled as an O’Reilly Cup and Pacific Four Series match was played in front of a record crowd for a Wallaroos home game but the local fans had little to celebrate.

After the break Paul added her second try when she scored out wide less than three minutes into the half.

With such a commanding lead, Bunting started to make substitutions with a whole new front row entering the game.

The Black Ferns’ sixth try came from world champion forward Chelsea Bremner powering over the line and dragging two defenders with her.

Bremner’s sister Alana added another try down the right side late in the game before replacement halfback Iritana Hohaia also on debut scored the final points of the game.

Brunt, who at 19 years old is the youngest player in the squad, was named player of the match.

Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant told Sky Sport post-match that she was “extremely proud” of all of the debutants.

“While there has been a change in personnel we have established the Black Ferns way that we like to play and that hasn’t changed.”

The Black Ferns next game is against Canada in Ottawa on 9 July as part of the Pacific Four Series.

New Zealand need to finish in the top three sides of the Pacific Four Series to qualify for the WXV tournament in Aotearoa in October and November.