Winger Katelyn Vahaakolo has scored a try double to help the Black Ferns retain their unbeaten record against Australia with a 43-3 victory in their O'Reilly Cup encounter at Hamilton.
After piling 50 points on their rivals three months ago, the NZ women totally dominated the first half of the game, taking full advantage of a strong wind, but could not continue that momentum against the elements after the break.
Australia resisted wave after wave of Black Ferns attack for the opening 10 minutes, but finally wilted, as prop Krystal Murray showed her handling skills and footwork to score the first try from close range.
After missing last year's World Cup with concussion, fullback Patricia Maliepo ran onto a bullet pass from captain Ruahei Demant for her team's second try, while Murray was held up over the line in quest of her try double.
When veteran Charmaine Smith - another making a return from long-term injury - stole a Wallaroos lineout throw, Demant kicked into space for winger Katelyn Vahaakolo to finish in the corner for her first international try.
Within minutes, she had her second, on the end of a regulation backline move, as the Aussies began to tire badly before the break. Another lineout win near the tryline saw second-five Sylvia Brunt bump off a defender and barge over beside the posts on the stroke of halftime, with the home side holding a 31-0 advantage.
Immediately after the restart, Australia took advantage of the strong wind at their backs, with first-five Carys Dallinger slotting a penalty to shift the scoreboard.
Playing into the breeze, the Black Ferns lacked the precision they showed during the opening 40 minutes, but succeeded in repelling the Wallaroos attack.
Debutants Chryss Viliko, Martha Mataele and Layla Sae all entered the game from the bench, as coach Allan Bunting developed his squad depth before the WXV 1 competition next month.
Australia's cause was not helped, when replacement prop Bridie O'Gorman was red-carded for a head clash in her tackle on Smith, leaving her team shorthanded for the final 10 minutes of the contest.
With an extra player, the Ferns began to regain some ascendancy, with loose forward Lucy Jenkins finally crossing for her first international try, while an audacious crosskick from lock Maia Roos almost produced another on fulltime.
After the final siren, the NZ pack muscled their underpowered counterparts off a defensive scrum and Mataele capped her debut with a try.
"It was very special to be at home," said co-captain Kennedy Simon. "I think the performance we put out there was physical.
"We're trying to explore, be brave and try new things. Our debutants got a couple of 'meat pies' [tries], so I think they're stoked.
"They [Australia] are facing a lot of adversity, so for them to come out and put on a good shift, I'm proud."
Both teams now face the best northern hemisphere teams, with England and France, in particular, seeking revenge for their World Cup disappointment.
New Zealand 43 (Vahaakolo 2, Murray, Maliepo, Brunt, Jenkins & Mataele tries; Demant 3 conversions, Kelly conversion) Australia 3 (Dallinger penalty)
