Ferns expect to get better

‘‘We’re a team that sets high standards and are only going to keep progressing. We’ve been together a week and a-bit and we’re looking forward to the next test because we’re only going to progress,’’ she said.

Moore, though, felt the Ferns had ticked some important boxes, such as getting five debutants (first five Ruahei Demant and wing Alena Saili, as well as a trio off the bench) through their first tests in front of a crowd that swelled to 28,846 – a record for a women’s international.

‘‘I was pleased for all our debutants,’’ he said. ‘‘As game time got closer they were a little bit nervous but the older players rallied around them and they took their opportunities well.’’

Moore got the games he expected from senior leaders Faamausili, Cocksedge and Selica Winiata but was rapt with a strong showing from loosehead prop Pip Love and a useful effort off the bench from replacement tighthead Leilani Perese.

He also noted a major improvement from the Australians.

‘‘There’s a massive improvement in their game and I expected that,’’ Moore said.

‘‘They’ve made progress through their Super W competition and it was apparent to me they were going to be far better than we’ve seen before.

‘‘Their conditioning is better and they’ve got a lot more dynamic with their game in terms of being able to use the ball.’’

For her part, Faamausili shrugged off her hat-trick as being in the right place at the right time to finish quality forward tries.

And now it starts again today as these Ferns continue to take the women’s game to new places.

Black Ferns 31

Australia 11