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New Zealand start Women's Rugby World Cup defence by downing battling Spain

football24 August 2025 19:45| © AFP
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Reigning champions New Zealand started their quest for a record-extending seventh Women's Rugby World Cup title with a 54-8 win over a gutsy Spain in York on Sunday.

On an opening weekend where title rivals England and Canada enjoyed mammoth wins, the Black Ferns 'only' led 21-3 at halftime against a Spain side ranked 13th in the world.

But New Zealand ran in five tries after the break, despite having to play with 13 women for the final 17 minutes.

Black Ferns boss Allan Bunting had already used all his replacements when Kaipo Olsen-Baker was taken off on a stretcher in the 55th minute after injuring her left leg.

New Zealand were reduced to 13 when wing Ayesha Leti-I'iga also had to go off because of injury.

They still managed to score a try but a valiant Spain replied with one of their own with the last play of the game when forward Ines Antolinez stretched out to get over.

New Zealand's Jorja Miller scored two first-half tries in an impressive 40-minute World Cup debut before being replaced, while the outstanding Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who came out of international retirement in April in a bid to win a third successive World Cup, scored a record 21st World Cup try in the second half.

Bunting, asked what his side needed to work on, told the BBC: "Probably being more clinical, hold on to those passes and hold the passes for longer. I can't fault them for playing with 13 players."

Meanwhile, Spain coach Juan Gonzalez was proud of his side's efforts, saying: "We came here trying to get the girls in Spain to be inspired by us. So we are really happy with the way we played... I think we have confidence to work and face the Ireland game with passion."

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