Kiwi Ferns thrash Canada
SYDNEY: New Zealand has opened its women’s Rugby League World Cup campaign with a 504 demolition of minnows Canada in Sydney.
The Kiwi Ferns were scratchy in yesterday’s first half. However, they found their groove after the break, running in nine tries to one at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Backrower Teuila FotuMoala was a standout, pulling off a string of thunderous tackles which left her opposition rocked before crossing for a secondhalf double.
Canada was valiant in the first half, holding New Zealand to a 164 lead at the break.
However, the
Ravens, with a side composed predominantly of Rugby Sevens players, simply could not sustain the onslaught from the threetime world champions.
After the resumption, Lileta Maumau and Krystal Murray barged over within three minutes to break Canada’s back and open the flood gates.
From there, it was a procession of tries, with Teuila FotuMoala and Apii NichollsPualau also running in fourpointers.
The tone was set in the third minute when winger Honey Hireme strolled over to make it 40.
The Canadians hit back when hooker Barbara Waddell dived over from dummyhalf, but blew a golden opportunity to take the lead when halfback Sabrina McDaid missed the conversion attempt from in front.
Powerfully built No 12 FotuMoala left Canada’s Maira Acevedo and Nina Bui on the ground injured in a memorable performance.
She also broke open the Canadian line as winger Atawhai Tupaea raced 50m to score and give her side back the lead, with the New Zealanders enjoying oneway traffic from there on. — AAP