Shannon Parry will lead the Wallaroos to the World Cup with a clear picture of the gap that stands between themselves and international rugby’s crown after being swept in a trans-Tasman showdown.
Bienne Terita scored a double on debut but it wasn’t enough as Australia fell 22-14 against New Zealand in the first match of Test rugby’s double-header at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Wallaroos arrived for their first Test in Adelaide looking to atone for a 47-point defeat at the hands of the Black Ferns in Christchurch one week ago.
While comparing the two games in this series is like chalk and cheese, Australia walked away with a reminder of how much work lies ahead if they are to trouble world rugby’s heavyweights at this year’s World Cup.
New Zealand and Australia will open the World Cup at Eden Park on October 8, with the Black Ferns tipped to lift the trophy for the sixth time in the past seven editions of the tournament.
The Wallaroos are yet to reach a World Cup final, their best return coming in a third-placed finish in England 12 years ago.
Bienne Terita scored a try in her Test debut.Credit:Getty
Having watched the Black Ferns lift the O’Reilly Cup after they completed a series sweep in the city of churches, Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning knows there is work to be done if this Australian side is to make history across the Tasman.
The Wallaroos signalled their intent with their first entry into the Black Ferns’ 22, knocking back an easy shot at three points to kick for the line in pursuit of a try. It was the right call. Captain Parry knew if her side was going to beat New Zealand, they needed to score tries.
Five points went begging when Terita dropped a ball with the line wide open, but the sevens flyer made amends within moments to score a try in a Test debut which doubled as her first game of XVs rugby in about three years.
Both sides endured stints with 14 players – first Black Ferns inside centre Chelsea Semple saw yellow for dangerous contact, though she would not return after being concussed in a collision with Liz Patu – before Atasi Lafai paid the price for the Wallaroos’ string of repeated infringements.
The Black Ferns took a three-point lead into the break, allowing the hosts to dream of an upset in what was supposed to be a trans-Tasman mismatch.
But the sheer weight of possession saw New Zealand roll over the top of the Wallaroos’ defence to build an insurmountable lead with second-half tries to player of the match Joanah Ngan-Woo and Kendra Reynolds, reducing Terita’s last-minute effort to a consolation try.
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