Black Ferns Try scorer 14, in what would be a 57 - 0 game against Scotland. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Black Ferns Try scorer 14, in what would be a 57 - 0 game against Scotland. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Follow all the game and crowd action live from Match Day 5 of Rugby World Cup 2021 at Whangārei's Northland Events Stadium.
The Wallaroos vs Wales Women game kicked off at 2:15, which will be followed by the highly anticipated Black Ferns vs Scotland game at 4:45 and then France Women vs Fijiana at 7:15.
Final scores: Australia VS Wales, Full-Time: 13-7 New Zealand VS Scotland, Full-Time: 57 - 0
The Black Ferns have registered a comprehensive 57-0 win over Scotland and now prepare to play in the quarter final next weekend.
Scotland threw everything in the second half but couldn't register a single point in the face of a staunch New Zealand defence.
Scotland try their best to fend off the Black Ferns / Photo: Michael Cunningham
It was a well-deserved win by the Black Ferns who played most of their rugby in the first half to lead 45-0. For Scotland, they bow out of the tournament together with Wales which earlier lost to Australia.
Hundreds of mostly Black Fern and Wales' supporters in the terraces are starting to leave the venue while the Fijian fans are eagerly waiting for the Fijiana v France game, to kick off at 7.15pm.
Whangārei Fijians Kunal, Sarvag, Anur and Ragni Shankar get ready to support their team in their game against France. Photo / Mike Dinsdale
Scotland playing against the wind isn't helping them but they have started throwing the ball around a bit and are playing with some confidence. The game looks more like a tit-for-tat battle.
Kaitaia's Krystal Murray took the field in the 45th minute, much to the delight of the kiwi fans. Basics are letting Scotland down as well as their ability to vary their play which is predictable for the most part.
Maiakawanakaulani Roos has just scored Black Ferns' first try in the second spell. Holmes has been banging conversions from the corner. Black Ferns lead 52-0.
The Black Ferns celebrate a second try. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The Black Ferns tries were scored by Renee Holmes, Renee Wickliffe, Sarah Hirini and Theresa Fitzpatrick. Wickliffe has just scored her second and the Black Ferns are now up by 36-0.
New Zealand's sheer power running and offloading is too much for Scotland to handle and the capacity crowd is loving every bit of the action.
The Black Ferns started with a bang, scoring four tries in the opening half an hour to lead 31-0. Northlander Krystal Murray lead the haka against Scotland to begin the game.
Black Ferns fans make sure their support is heard. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Fijian fans are still pouring in and will have to find much sought-after real estate on the terrace side as the venue is almost at full capacity. The road in front of the stadium is closed to all traffic.
The Black Ferns perform the haka in front of the Scotland Women's Rugby team. Photo / Michael Cunningham
When Ari Marino-Tauhinu was named Black Ferns Captain early this week for the match against Scotland today, she told of how proud she was and dedicated the honour to her late Dad Francis.
She said her Dad would have been so proud, as were her while whanau, after rising from a small Far North community to leading her country on the global stage in the WRWC.
Whanau from the Far North and Auckland are here to support Northlander Ari Marino-Tauhinu, who is captaining the Black Ferns today. Photo / Mike Dinsdale
And many of her large whanau from the Far North and Auckland are in the crowd at Northland Events Centre to show their support and pride.
They expressed their huge pride they have for Marino-Tauhinu and her helming the Black Ferns in her home region.
Fans of Scotland The Brave show their support for the women's rugby team. Photo / Mike Dinsdale.
And how would she perform today?
"100 percent, for sure. She always gives 100 per cent."
They know that having her so prominent on the world stage will inspire other young Northland females to chase their dreams.
Full house at Northland Event Centre. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Australia VS Wales, Full-Time: 13-7
Australia is leading Wales 10-7 in the first match of the triple-header at the Northland Events Centre this afternoon. The venue is almost at full capacity but more spectators are expected when the Black Ferns play Scotland at 4.45pm and Fijian fans when Fijiana takes on France at 7.15pm.
Australia's number 21 passes the ball. Photo / Michael Cunningham
It's a beautiful day of running rugby on a slightly overcast day and both Australia and Wales are fighting tooth and nail for every inch of possession and territory, knowing a win will qualify them for the quarter finals next weekend.
Australia started well, scoring through nippy halfback Iliseva Batibasaga who probed around a ruck seven metres from the Wales' tryline, and darted straight through the middle to score under the posts in just the 4th minute.
Crowds waiting at the Rugby World Cup action zone at the Northland Events Stadium in Whangārei. Photo / Mike Dinsdale.
Despite having a stiff wind behind their backs, Wales were guilty of making a number of unforced errors in their own half that thwarted decent phases of play. Australia opted to speed up the game and tire the big Welsh defence and were able to do that for a large part but just could not capitalise on multiple opportunities for large parts of the game.
Families swing their poi in support of the Black Ferns. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Wales replied through No 8 Sioned Harries following a lineout drive. Wales hammered at the tryline with multiple phases of pick and go and were rewarded when Harries managed to stretch and plant the ball on the chalk.
Crowds don't get much bigger than this. Photo / Mike Dinsdale
