Despite a tight first half battle England Women were knocked out of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup by New Zealand’s Kiwi Ferns as they fell to a 44-4 defeat at the Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The Kiwi Ferns opened the scoring within minutes of the game as Maitua Feterika crossed over the line on the right edge.
Tara-Jane Stanley’s kick from the restart was missed by New Zealand and rolled over the dead ball line forcing a drop out but the opposition’s short kick-off bounced in their favour.
Shontelle Goodman found a gap in the England defence to score New Zealand’s second try in the opening ten minutes. Nati missed both conversions
A knock-on by the Kiwi Ferns on their own 40m line gave England prime field position and they made the most of it as Charlotte Booth almost scored from a Faye Gaskin kick. The video referee deemed that Booth was in touch.
15 minutes into the game New Zealand were over again as Krystal Murray forced her through the defence. Kimiora Nati converted for the first time during the game successfully.
England were able to keep the Kiwi Ferns scoreless for the remainder of the half and close the gap as Tara-Jane Stanley collected a Kirsty Moroney kick to score.
After England conceded back-to-back penalties at the start of the second-half New Zealand were able to further their lead through Honey Hireme on the left wing.
They backed it up minutes later as Teuila Fotu-Moala battled her way through the England defence to score. Honey Hireme and Krystal Murray added their second tries of the games on 55 and 62 minutes before Hilda Peters scored to take the score to 38-4 with 10 minutes remaining.
Lilieta Maumau scored against a tiring England in the closing and almost scored her second of the game with 5 minutes remaining but knocked-on over the line.
Honey Hireme completed her hat-trick with moments left of the game to extend score before Laura Mariu scored on the hooter.
New Zealand try-scorers: Maitua Feterika 2′, Shontelle Goodman 6′, Krystal Murray 15′, 62′, Honey Hireme 46′, 55′, 78′, Teuila Fotu-Moala 50′, Hilda Peters 67′, Laura Mariu 80′
Conversions: Kimiora Nati (4)
England Try-scorer: Tara-Jane Stanley 22′