WXV1: Ireland stun world champions New Zealand in opener

September 30

New Zealand opened the scoring as hooker Atlanta Lolohea touched down at the back of a driving maul.

But Ireland replied quickly as quick thinking from Aoife Wafer saw the Ireland flanker barge her way over the line from close range.

A Renee Holmes penalty extended New Zealand’s lead to 10-5, before Wafer grabbed her second score, peeling away from the base of an attacking scrum to burrow over.

O’Brien put Ireland in front with the conversion and their advantage became a seven-point one when hooker Neve Jones was awarded a try after referee Sara Cox consulted with TMO Ian Tempest.

O’Brien was off-target with the subsequent conversion and New Zealand were on level terms by half-time when Katelyn Vahaakolo supplied the finish and Holmes kicked her second conversion.

Midway through the second half a Holmes penalty edged her side in front while Niamh O’Dowd was in the sin bin but Ireland replied with the next points when they were restored to their full complement of 15 players.

More good work from Wafer helped Ling go over for her first score, then Mererangi Paul stretched to touch down and put New Zealand ahead again.

King rumbled over from close range again however to level at 27-27 and O’Brien kept her composure to deliver the winning additional two points from the tee.

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