Aussie captain apologises to fans after ugly loss

The Black Ferns fielded six new faces but it was the same old painful story for the Wallaroos as they slumped to another heavy O'Reilly Cup loss in Brisbane on Thursday.

Under new coach Allan Bunting, world champions New Zealand treated the 7055 fans at Dolphin Stadium to a terrific display of attacking rugby in the 50-0 romp.

"We talk about our DNA, it's in our soul. We weren't born with shields. We were born with weapons. We were born to attack," Bunting said in a better than usual pre-match quote.

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But it was actually the stinging defence of the Black Ferns that set the tone with some massive hits in the opening exchanges.

"They look like they've got a bit of fear in their eyes at the moment," Wallabies legend Tim Horan said of the Wallaroos on Stan Sport.

Black Ferns standout Sylvia Brunt then went to work on attack as the 19-year-old centre scored two quickfire first half tries to set up an unassailable 26-0 lead at the break.

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Sylvia Brunt of New Zealand scores a try in Brisbane.

The Black Ferns – now 24-0 in women's trans-Tasman Tests – won their previous clash against Australia 41-17 at Eden Park at last year's Rugby World Cup.

"That's definitely not what we trained for this week," Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard said.

"But we'll get back onto the training paddock next week, working on our execution, our passing, our support lines."

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Leonard then apologised to the crowd.

"Sorry it wasn't the performance we wanted to put on for you but we appreciate the love nonetheless and hopefully see you out here even bigger and stronger next time."

The Wallaroos and Black Ferns will now travel to Canada to continue their Pacific Four Series campaigns.

Eva Karpani of Australia is tackled by Maiakawanakaulani Roos of New Zealand.

Australia will meet the United States on July 9 (AEST) in Ottawa with New Zealand tackling Canada at TD Place Stadium later that day.

"The handling, the support and their offloads and defence was outstanding for the Black Ferns and that's why they're the best in the world," Horan said.

"The Wallaroos in the first half were defensively passive. Also their attack, they were stagnant as well but they'll head to Canada and they can try again."

Maiakawanakaulani Roos of New Zealand breaks through the defence.

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