They might have misplaced the Pacific 4 Collection, however the Black Ferns bounced again in fashion from their loss to Canada, persevering with their dominance of the O’Reilly Cup with a thrashing of the Wallaroos at North Harbour Stadium.
The 67-19 victory equals the best variety of factors the Black Ferns have ever inflicted on their Trans-Tasman rivals, equaling their 67-3 loss in 2016 – and stretches out their successful streak to 22 matches.
The end result sees Jo Yapp’s facet end backside of the Pacific 4 ladder in 2024, that means they may fail to qualify for the WXV1 sequence later this 12 months in Canada.
As an alternative, they may drop all the way down to WXV2, which can happen in September in South Africa and can see them tackle the already-qualified Springboks Ladies, Italy and Scotland – and they are going to be joined by a European play-in winner (Wales or Spain), and the winner of the Asia Rugby Ladies’s Championship, which concludes in June.
The loss additionally means their qualification pathway for the 2025 World Cup will change considerably.
Regardless of the heavy loss, a number of gamers stood out in a troublesome afternoon for the guests: an improved crew efficiency within the second half was spearheaded by Arabella McKenzie, who confirmed her stranglehold on the flyhalf place with two tries and loads of moments that stretched the Kiwi defence.
Bridie O’Gorman additionally leaves North Harbour along with her shares firmly raised, instantly bettering the Wallaroos scrum upon her arrival within the second half.
Extremely, the match is additionally essentially the most variety of factors the Wallaroos have ever scored towards the Black Ferns, beating their 45–17 loss in 2018. Sadly, the factors conceded couldn’t make up for it.
Regardless of the second half being a notable enchancment, the match was properly and really over by that time, with Jo Yapp’s facet uncovered defensively across the ruck, and in post-contact metres, as many Kiwi alternatives coming off gamers not being held.
Most concerningly, the Wallaroos conceded a monster 47 missed tackles – additional including to issues about their degree of physicality this season and leaving Jo Yapp below strain for outcomes, with objectives to safe a second WXV1 berth up now in smoke.
For the Black Ferns, it was a shocking return to type following their shock loss to Canada, with many new thrilling prospects standing up.
The match began out with each side buying and selling tries early within the opening twenty minutes.
Kennedy Simon (obscured) of the Black Ferns celebrates with teammates after scoring their groups eleventh strive through the 2024 Pacific 4 Collection Spherical 4 & 2024 O’Reilly Cup 1st Take a look at match between New Zealand Black Ferns and Australia Wallaroos at North Harbour Stadium on Could 25, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photograph by Fiona Goodall – World Rugby/World Rugby through Getty Photographs)
Nonetheless, the Black Ferns kicked on within the last twenty minutes of the primary half, stretching the Wallaroos by going extensive. The outcomes had been tries to Katelyn Vahaakolo, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and a hattrick to Mererangi Paul, seeing the scoreline stretch out to an unsightly 45-7 at halftime – and threatening to turn into the Wallaroos worst ever loss.
The second half nevertheless noticed a much-improved efficiency from Australia, with the reserves stemming a few of the move by way of an improved scrum, and Maya Stewart scoring a classic meat pie after threatening all sport.
Nonetheless, regardless of the resilience and never-say-die angle proven by the guests within the closing levels, the end result was by no means doubtful, with Black Fern co-captain Kennedy Simon capping off the demolition with two tries to deliver the house facet’s last tally to eleven in entrance of a robust dwelling crowd.
The Wallaroos will head dwelling to arrange for his or her subsequent clashes in early July, which can see them face Fiji in Sydney, the Black Ferns once more at Ballymore for his or her last dwelling match of the season, earlier than travelling in September to face Eire in Belfast forward of the beginning of their WXV2 marketing campaign.
