While the under-powered Kiwis had a battle against the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test, the Kiwi Ferns were in sublime form in their victory over the Jillaroos in the women's international in Newcastle on Friday night.
Scoring six tries to three, the New Zealanders built on a 12-6 halftime lead to take out the contest 26-16, avenging their 14-22 defeat in the corresponding match last year.
Leading the way was outstanding young standoff Georgia Hale who produced two try assists and was named the player of the match. She was also named the player of the series when the Kiwi Ferns accounted for the Jillaroos at the NRL Auckland Nines earlier this year.
Hale threw a superb cut-out ball for wing Atawhai Tupaea's second try and a slick inside pass for fullback Sarina Fiso's first try.
The one notable negative about the New Zealanders' effort was their goal kicking with just one success in six conversion attempts.
Match details | Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Jillaroos 16 (Karina Brown 2, Sam Bremner tries; Maddie Studdon conversion; Caitlyn Moran conversion).
Kiwi Ferns 26 (Atawhai Tupaea 2, Sarina Fiso 2, Maitua Feterika, Krystal Rota tries; Nora Maaka conversion).
Halftime: 12-6 Kiwi Ferns.
