Australia grab first win

Australia have not played a test game since the 2014 World Cup and were up against the Auckland Storm, who finished second in the recent inter-provincial Farah Palmer Cup.

Auckland had six players absent through Black Ferns selection, underlining the scale of the challenge facing Australia this Saturday in the first test. The teams will play a second Test at QBE Stadium in Albany the following Wednesday.The Australian team took the lead for the first time at the 73rd minute mark after coming back from an 11-point deficit to win.Tries to Alisha Hewett, Sarah Riordan and Nareta Marsters sealed the victory for the young Wallaroos side with the final moment of pressure coming down to flyhalf Chloe Leaupepe who calmly kicked a penalty to give the Wallaroos the lead which they held for the final moments of the match.Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach Paul Verrell said: “It was a hard game, being the first time we had played together this year. We were a bit shell shocked in that first half. They put us under pressure leading into half time but it was a good fight back from us.“I’m glad we’ve got the win and it has given us the experience. It’s also given us a few selection headaches leading in to naming the side for Saturday, which is good to have.“Sarah Riordan had a great game at fullback and she is putting pressure on that position, Mollie Gray had a great game and got us across the advantage line and Chloe Leaupepe played well and kicked the final penalty goal to get us the win.”This weekend's match will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and online radio call viawww.abc.net.au/grandstand from 3pm.Australia 21 (Tries; A Hewett, S Riordan, N Marsters; pens; C Leaupepe 2) defeated Auckland 19 (Tries; Willoughby, Salamo-Tuuam, Taufateau; Cons Jensen 2)