Powerful winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga has scored a try double, as the Black Ferns powered to a hard-earned 23-10 victory over Australia in their Pacific Four series opener at Tauranga.
Trailling throughout the opening half, the NZ women seemed poised to lose their unbeaten 20-from-20 record against their trans-Tasman rivals in rainy, muddy conditions.
The Wallaroos forwards dominated the breakdowns and scrums early, powering their side to a 10-0 lead, as the Ferns' World Cup build-up got off to a shaky start under new coaching director Wayne Smith.
New Zealand barely entered the Australian 22 over the opening 30 minutes, but gained some confidence, when halfback Kendra Cocksedge sent Leti-I'iga over in the corner, despite a blatant head-high tackle that would have been carded in Super Rugby Pacific.
After the restart, the Ferns flicked the switch - especially at scrumtime - totally reversing the trends of the opening half.
Referee Sara Cox, who was happy to overlook the dangerous tackle, found reason to disallow a try to debutant prop Tanya Kalounivale, but from the ensuing penalty, flanker Alana Bremner crossed to level the scores.
By now, the home side were on a roll and took the lead from a perfectly worked scrum move near the tryline, where Cocksedge ran a decoy left and No.8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker - another making her first appearance for the Ferns - ran right off the back to score in the corner.
A penalty - Cocksedge's only successful kick in despicable conditions - put the Kiwis beyond a converted try and on fulltime, Leti-I'iga had her second try, again courtesy of her veteran halfback.
The Aussies had barely threatened during the second half, with fullback Lori Cramer badly missing a handy penalty kick that would have put them within striking distance with 10 minutes left.
After Adiana Talakai left early with an injury, replaced Ashley Marsters could not find the middle of a lineout with her throws, making the set-piece a liability.
By contrast, after their initial struggles at the scrum, when they were pushed off the ball from their own feed, the Black Ferns dramatically turned things around, with a tighthead paving the way for Leti-I'iga's second try at the death.
Starting props Krystal Murray and Amy Rule, and hooker Georgia Ponsonby were on the backfoot from the start, but had already redeemed themselves, before they were subbed off en masse six minutes after halftime.
Kalounivale, Angel Mulu and Luka Connor simply continued the transformation.
New Zealand will now face Canada - winners against United States in the early game - next Sunday at Waitakere's Trusts Arena.
Black Ferns 23 (Leti-I'iga 2, Olsen-Baker & A Bremner tries; Cocksedge penalty) Australia 10 (Patu try; Cramer conversion & penalty)
Join us at 2:45pm Sunday for live updates of the Black Ferns v Canada Pacific Four clash
