(Reuters) - Hosts and reigning champions New Zealand came through a huge early scare to beat neighbours Australia 41-17 in their opening match at the women's Rugby World Cup in front of a record crowd at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.
Three quick tries had the Wallaroos dominating the Pool A clash at 17-0 up inside the first half an hour and it was only when the Australians were reduced to 13 women early in the second half that the home side were able to edge ahead.
Prolific winger Portia Woodman scored a hat-trick and her fellow Sevens standout Ruby Tui grabbed a late double as the five-times world champions scored seven unanswered tries to seal what was ultimately a comfortable win. "It was definitely a game of two halves," said New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant. "Australia really put us under the pump there right from the start.
I'm proud of how we closed off that first half and the way that we finished that game." Australia, who had never beaten the Black Ferns in 22 previous attempts, started as if determined to spoil New Zealand's party with winger Bienne Terita crossing twice in the right corner after running around the home defence.