The New Zealand Black Ferns showcased their dominance once again, extending their winning streak to 30 matches with a resounding 40-5 victory over Australia’s Wallaroos on the Sunshine Coast. Winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga made a significant impact in the first half, scoring two of the six tries that solidified the Kiwis’ triumph and allowed them to retain the O’Reilly Cup.
This match marked a historic occasion as it was the first trans-Tasman Anzac Test for women’s teams, witnessed by 5,508 spectators despite adverse weather conditions. The Wallaroos’ captain, Siokapesi Palu Sekona, who was born in New Zealand, managed to score Australia’s solitary try. Following the match, she expressed disappointment but acknowledged the skill of the Black Ferns, stating their performance justified their reputation as a world-class team.
Reflecting on the experience, Sekona found positives to build upon, noting the honour of playing on Anzac Day while representing her country. The Black Ferns’ victory capped off a hat-trick of wins and secured two trophies as they concluded the Pacific Four Series. Their success also marked a successful beginning for new coach Whitney Hansen. The Black Ferns now find themselves ranked second in the world, trailing only England.
Conversely, the Wallaroos are still developing, with many players balancing part-time commitments, making it challenging to compete with a full-time professional outfit like the Black Ferns. Despite the tough conditions—including heavy rainfall that complicated gameplay—the Black Ferns displayed effective strategies, with strong scrummaging and accurate lineouts paving the way for their fluid attacks.
Centre Amy du Plessis set the tone early with a try just four minutes into the match, followed by Leti-I’iga’s scoring efforts, and a third try from reserve prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu solidified their lead. The teams are expected to meet again in August for another Test, following their respective domestic club seasons.
Overall, this clash further highlighted the gap in professionalism between the two sides, as the Black Ferns continued their impressive form with confidence from previous victories against strong teams, including a recent win over Canada.