An Abigail Roache hat-trick has led the Kiwi Ferns to a 28-10 win over Tonga this afternoon at Eden Park.
Roache's hat-trick was the highlight of an incomplete Kiwi Ferns performance against Tonga as errors crept into the New Zealand attack while Tonga's defence held firmer than expected.
The Kiwi Ferns got off to a positive start when Roache scored twice in the opening 10 minutes with some decent play on the right edge.
But Tonga fought their way back into the contest and managed to nab a try in the 25th minute with Tiana Penitani going over.
That made the scoreline 10-6 and it stayed that way up until the break before the second half got off to a fiery start as Amelia Pasikala powered through three would-be tacklers to give the Kiwi Ferns some breathing room.
Pasikala's afternoon come to a horrific end minutes later though as she was victim to a poor hip-drop tackled from Ilaisaane Taufa, which appeared to break her leg. A tearful Taufa was sent off for the moment.
That left the Kiwi Ferns to break away from the 12-strong Tonga and they did moments later with Roache's third try of the afternoon.
Annessa Biddle and Mele Hufanga sealed the result for the Kiwi Ferns while Penitani’s scored a second for Tonga as consolation.
Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry said he had mixed thoughts on the result.
“A bit scratchy for us, but we got there in the end,” Henry said.
“We’ll have a look at the tape, see what we can work on. We created enough opportunities, we just didn’t ice them at the right time. But in saying that, Tonga were spirited and tried hard.”
“We just needed to get into the game cycle we were trying to build on. I thought we did it really well at the start of the game, but lost our way a bit then got it back."
The afternoon of rugby league action at Eden Park opened with NZ Kiwis A beating Tonga A 36-26 with the Kiwis the last match of the day, playing Toa Samoa.
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