New Zealand Kiwi Ferns vs Tonga Women: Abigail Roache hat-trick leads Kiwi Ferns to win over Tonga

New Zealand Kiwi Ferns player Mele Hufanga celebrates a try against Australia. Photo / Photosport

An Abigail Roache hat-trick has helped lead the Kiwi Ferns to a 28-10 win over Tonga, who were forced to finish the game with a numbers disadvantage after Ilaisaane Taufa was sent from the pitch.

The interchange forward was shown a red card with about half an hour left in the game following a hip-drop style tackle, which saw her Kiwi Ferns counterpart Amelia Pasikala leave the Eden Park turf with a suspected broken leg and her side 16-6 ahead.

The sending-off ended any chance of a Tongan fightback, with the Kiwi Ferns running in three tries after the incident to ultimately claim a comfortable win.

The Kiwi Ferns started with a flourish as Roache had crossed the line twice within the opening 11 minutes to give the side a comfortable lead.

Tonga hit back through captain Tiana Penitani, scoring the first of her two tries off the back of a Kiwi Ferns’ error.

Just 10-6 ahead at the break, the Kiwi Ferns again made a strong start when play resumed with Amelia Pasikala scoring soon after the restart.

Taufa was then sent off, and the Kiwi Ferns scored again through Roache and Annessa Biddle. Penitani’s second try of the game gave Tonga a glimmer of hope but Mele Hufanga’s effort just three minutes later closed the door on that.

The Kiwi Ferns will head to Australia next weekend for another Test against the Jillaroos, who edged the New Zealand side 16-10 when they met last weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sport after the win over Tonga, Kiwi Ferns co-captain Raecene McGregor said the side knew what adjustments they needed to make for that rematch.

“Just cleaning up the errors and not trying to push things. Just stay patient. I think when we stayed patient we looked really good and when we rushed things we got a little bit frantic at times. We went away from our game plan and that’s when things started to get a little bit frantic out there.

“Stay patient, stick to the game plan and things will work in the end.”