Women's Rugby League World Cup: Kiwi Ferns demolish Canada in opening match

Mandy Marchak of Canada loses the ball in a tackle during the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup match between New Zealand and Canada. Photo / Getty

New Zealand have opened their women's Rugby League World Cup campaign with a 50-4 demolition of minnows Canada in Sydney.

The Kiwi Ferns were scratchy in Thursday's first half, however, found their groove after the break, running in nine tries to one at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Back-rower Teuila Fotu-Moala was a standout, pulling off a string of thunderous tackles which left her opposition rocked before crossing for a second-half double.

Canada were valiant in the first half, holding New Zealand to a 16-4 lead at the break.

However the Ravens, with a side composed predominantly of Rugby Sevens players, simply couldn't sustain the onslaught from the three-time world champions.

After the resumption, Lileta Maumau and Krystal Murray barged over within three minutes to break Canada's back and open the floodgates.

From there, it was a procession of tries with Teuila Fotu-Moala and Apii Nicholls-Pualau also running in four-pointers.

The tone was set in the third minute when winger Honey Hireme strolled over to make if 4-0.

The Canadians hit back when hooker Barbara Waddell dived over from dummy-half, but blew a golden opportunity to take the lead when halfback Sabrina McDaid missed the conversion attempt from in front.

Powerfully built No 12 Fotu-Moala left Canada's Maira Acevedo and Nina Bui on the ground injured in a memorable performance.

She also broke open the Canadian line as winger Atawhai Tupaea raced 50 metres to score and give her side back the lead with the three-time world champions enjoying one-way traffic from there on. - NZN