New Zealand beat battling Spain with 13 players

Pool C of the Women’s Rugby World Cup

New Zealand (21) 54

Cons: Holmes 7; Tries: Miller 2, Mikaele-Tu’u, Leti-I’iga 2, Ponsonby, Woodman-Wickliffe, and Setefano

Spain (3) 8

With a 54-8 victory over Spain at York Community Stadium, reigning champions New Zealand set the tone for a record-extending seventh women’s rugby world cup.

The Black Ferns only led 21-3 at half-time as a result of Spain’s battling display that belied their 13th-ranked world rankings after title rivals England and Canada had big wins in their opening games.

Despite having to play with 13 women for the final 17 minutes, New Zealand ran in five tries after the break to overcome their first-half rustiness.

When Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who had suffered a right leg injury, went off on a stretcher after 55 minutes, Allan Bunting had already used all of his replacement players.

Ayesha Leti-I’iga, the wing, also had to miss out due to injury, and New Zealand were reduced to 13.

Despite having two players in the match, the Black Ferns still managed to score a try, but they conceded in the final play when Spain scored the try they deserved.

In a stunning 40-minute World Cup debut before being replaced, Flanker Jorja Miller scored two tries.

In the 13th minute, Miller, who won the World Sevens tournament, scored a try that demonstrated why she is regarded as a game’s superstar.

The 21-year-old accelerated through Spain’s defense after he threw a fake pass and entered two defenders.

After making a fluent passing move, the Olympic sevens gold medallist, who only played her first 15-a-side Test in May, landed her second three minutes later, touching down on the right.

Miller went on a rampaging run right away, seeing a chance to score a stunning hat-trick, but Spain did it this time.

She played the most of any player in all eight matches played on the opening weekend of the World Cup, defeating 11 defenders in 40 minutes.

The champions’ third try was scored by Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, who also had outstanding stature. The hosts then needed to defend well to keep the Spanish side at bay.

The second half was a different story, with left wing Leti-I’iga scoring for New Zealand’s bonus-point fourth try shortly after the break.

Georgia Ponsonby’s replacement hooker slammed into the corner for her second try before Leti-l’iga used all of her brute force to stop two tackles and touch down for her second try.

With only 13 players in the pitch center, Theresa Setefano broke through the posts to score under the posts, and Woodman-Wickliffe, the world’s all-time record try-scorer, ran a great line to go over for her score.

Next Sunday in Exeter, New Zealand and Japan will face off, and Spain and Ireland will face off in Northampton on the same day.

Replacements: Woodman, Olsen-Baker, Pouri-Lane, Demant, and Ponsonby, Viliko, Kalounivale, Bayfield, Olsen-Baker, Pouri-Lane, Demant.

Spain: Blanco, Bracic, Castelo, Alameda, Martinez, Garcia, Capell, Fernandez de Corres, Delgado (capt), Bueriberi, Pena, Perez, Piquero, Alameda, Martinez, Garcia,

Replacements: Jou, Antolinez, De Andres, Puig, Pineiro, Aresti, Vinuesa, Perez,

Referees’ assistants: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales) and Kat Roche (USA).