Australia's Wallaroos have produced a gallant performance in a 41-17 loss to reigning champions New Zealand in their women's Rugby World Cup opener at a sold-out Eden Park.
The Black Ferns scored seven tries to three in front of what was a world record crowd for a women's rugby union match.
But the contest was much closer than the final scoreline suggests.
Having never beaten the Black Ferns, the Wallaroos – boosted by the inclusion of some of Australia's sevens stars – stunned their highly fancied opponents in the first half.
They established a 17-0 lead after 27 minutes, with Bienne Terita scoring a double and fellow winger Ivania Wong also crossing the stripe.
But the Black Ferns – five-time World Cup winners — showed why they are tournament favourites on home soil, scoring back-to-back tries through winger Portia Woodman and lock Joanah Ngan-Woo.
They had cut back the Wallaroos' advantage to 17-12 by half-time, before levelling the score seven minutes after the break when Woodman touched down out wide for her second try.
The Wallaroos were then dealt a blow when they were reduced to 13 players after Wong and captain Shannon Parry were handed yellow cards.
The Black Ferns seized the opportunity and took the ascendancy in the 56th minute via a converted try to reserve Awhina Tangen-Wainohu.
Woodman then completed a hat-trick with another five-pointer down the left flank, before her wing partner Ruby Tui added two tries to seal the win for the Black Ferns.
Renee Holmes kicked two conversions for the hosts, with Kendra Cocksedge adding one.
Arabella McKenzie managed a sole conversion for the Wallaroos.
The win was the Black Ferns' 23rd over the Wallaroos.
The Wallaroos will face Scotland in Whangārei next Saturday in their second pool match.
They will play Wales at the same venue in their final pool encounter on October 22.
In the earlier matches in Saturday's triple-header at Eden Park, England thrashed Fiji 84-19 and France triumphed 40-5 over South Africa.
