They might have suffered their 29th straight defeat to their trans-Tasman rivals, but the Wallaroos took a step forward against the Black Ferns on Saturday afternoon ahead of next month’s World Cup.
The Black Ferns ran out 37-12 winners after dominating the territory battle in the second half, but Jo Yapp will have been ecstatic with their first half showing after trailing just 10-7 at half-time.
While the Wallaroos conceded a five-pointer in the opening minutes to tryscoring machine Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, the visitors hit back quickly through Charlotte Caslick to take a 7-5 lead.
It took the Black Ferns until the 33rd minute to get their noses back in front as Woodman-Wickliffe scored her second.
Jorja Miller was one of New Zealand’s best during their win over the Wallaroos to retain the O’Reilly Cup at Sky Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Wellington. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The home side completely dominated the second half as the Black Ferns scored another five tries as sevens queen Jorja Miller found her groove on both sides of the ball.
The flanker was one of five different tryscorers along with returning World Cup-winning winger Ruby Tui, as well as Woodman-Wickliffe, who scored a hat-trick to go along with her incredible seven tries in their previous Pacific Four Cup win over the USA.
But the Wallaroos refused to go away and scored the final points of the evening through replacement prop Lydia Kavoa, who worked her way over from close range to give the visitors something to take away from the match.
Despite the 25-point loss, the fact the Wallaroos stayed with the Black Ferns for as long as they did was an encouraging sign just 42 days out from their World Cup opener.
“We know they’re a quality side, but just that self-belief is probably what we needed,” skipper Siokapesi Palu said.
“There’s definitely a lot of positives from that first half to show we can stay in it.
“We know we can play 40 good minutes against a top side, it’s just now trying to hold it for 80.”
While Palu finished the match in a moon boot, the hard-hitting flanker didn’t look particularly fazed by the injury.
The fact the loose-forward did her post-match interview was likely another sign that she wouldn’t be sidelined for long.
The Wallaroos were helped by some poor handling and bizarre decision-making in the final 15 minutes by the Black Ferns, who twice kicked dead in goal despite having massive overlaps, the gritty nature of Yapp’s side was pleasing.
As was their improvement at the set-piece, particularly around the lineout and maul, which had struggled during the Pacific Four series.
Caslick had one of her stronger outings in the midfield after filling in for Georgina Friedrichs, who missed the game for personal reasons.
Teen excitement Waiaria Ellis was threatening out wide on debut, while Ashley Marsters and hooker Tania Naden were busy on both sides of the ball.
Tia Hinds also looked comfortable in the No.10 jersey despite the wave of pressure she copped in the second half.
