Wallaroos fail to hold off New Zealand in Tauranga

In wet and wild conditions, the Wallaroos have fallen 23-10 to heated rivals New Zealand after failing to hold onto a first half lead.

Starting in their game of the Pacific Four Series, the Buildcorp Wallaroos led New Zealand at halftime for the first time in their 20-Test history dating back to 1994.

The match was extremely physically as both teams endured the torrential rain and wind in what was an extremely tight game for majority of the match.

The Wallaroos were the first to break the deadlock scoring after 10 minutes through prop Liz Patu, the side using their strength to score from the side of the ruck.

Fullback Lori Cramer found her rhythm with the boot early scoring a penalty and a conversion to give the Wallaroos a 10-point lead for majority of the first half.

The Black Ferns were able to creep back into the game just before halftime through a try from winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga however a missed conversion gave the Wallaroos a 5-point lead as the halftime siren sounded.

A massive surge from the Black Ferns saw the side score two tries, one of which through No.8 and eventual player of the game Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

While scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge missed her first conversion, a penalty in the 60th minute saw New Zealand take an eight-point lead.

The Buildcorp Wallaroos were able to cap two new debutants in the game as second rower Annabelle Codey and winger Cecilia Smith were injected into the game in the second half.

Back-rowers Shannon Parry and Piper Duck were standouts in the game earning Australia a lot of turnover ball as they dominated possession.

However, New Zealand were able to extend their late in the game through Leti-I'iga scoring her second try to secure the victory.

Earlier in the first match of the Pacific Four Series Canada outplayed USA to take a 36-5 win.

SCORE:

New Zealand 23 (Tries: Leti-I’iga 2, A Bremner, Olsen-Baker)
Buildcorp Wallaroos 10 (Tries: Patu)

TEAMS:

NEW ZEALAND (1-15): Krystal Murray, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Chelsea Bremner, Alana Bremner, Kendra Reynolds, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kendra Cocksedge, Ruahei Demant (c), Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Chelsea Semple, Kelsey Teneti, Ruby Tui, Renee Holmes

RESERVES: Luka Connor, Angel Mulu, Tanya Kalounivale, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Tafito Lafaele, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic, Cheyelle Robins-Reti

WALLAROOS (1-15): Liz Patu, Adiana Talakai, Bridie O'Gorman, Michaela Leonard, Kaitlan Leaney, Emily Chancellor, Shannon Parry (c), Grace Hamilton, Iliseva Batibasaga, Trilleen Pomare, Ivania Wong, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Georgina Friedrichs, Mahalia Murphy, Lori Cramer

RESERVES: Ashley Marsters, Madison Schuck, Eva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Cecilia Smith, Arabella McKenzie