New Zealand U21 Make History With 43-10 Win Over Australia NextGen

New Zealand's Under-21 women's side made history in Christchurch on Sunday, beating Australia NextGen U21 43-10 in the first-ever fixture for both teams. Inaugural captain Anahera Hamahona led the home side out at One NZ Stadium, and afterwards declared her team "the future of the Black Ferns". Ella Henderson crossed for the first-ever try for the New Zealand U21 side, and after Australia hit back through Lily Gillett, two quick tries from winger Lialanie Muamua swung the match the hosts' way. New Zealand took a 24-5 lead into half-time and won the second half 19-5, with Sariyah Paitai, Presayus Singh and Kiera Su'a-Smith all adding their names to the scoresheet. Gillett became the first-ever try-scorer for the Australia NextGen side and completed a double in the second half, but the visitors were well beaten in a landmark occasion for the women's game. The fixture was played before the Black Ferns faced France in the WXV Global Series season finale, giving the next generation a stage of their own.