Arabic version: الهزيمة أمام بلاك فيرنز تُنهي المباراة الدولية المئة لوولاروز

According to ABC News, the Wallaroos’ 100th Test match ended in a 66-19 defeat to New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. New Zealand extended its unbeaten Test record against Australia, having won all 31 meetings between the teams after entering Saturday’s match with 30 victories.

The Black Ferns scored 10 tries and took control from the fourth minute, when fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee crossed on the right flank. Prop Chryss Viliko added a second before Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu created a break that led to fly half Ruahei Demant scoring under the posts. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u scored New Zealand’s fourth try in the 35th minute, even while Vaipulu was in the sin bin for head-on-head contact with Wallaroos flanker Lily Bone.

Australia reached half-time trailing 26-7 after left winger Desiree Miller scored and converted her own try. The Wallaroos’ hopes of a comeback were quickly checked after the interval as lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos scored New Zealand’s fifth try. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, reserve hooker Vici-Rose Green and Maia Joseph also crossed, while Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a charged down a kick from Wallaroos fullback Faitala Moleka and grounded the ball.

Waiaria Ellis, making her first start at fly half, scored in the 67th minute after stepping through the Black Ferns defence. Reserve hooker Brittany Merlo added Australia’s third try from a driving maul. Maddison Levi, Australia’s all-time leading rugby sevens try-scorer, made her Wallaroos debut with a 30-minute appearance off the bench. Emily Chancellor also made her Australian debut, becoming the first woman to represent both the Black Ferns and Wallaroos in Test rugby.

Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona said the team was disappointed but noted Australia scored two of the final three tries. She said New Zealand had started quickly, leaving Australia on the back foot, and that the Wallaroos needed to start better.