Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored a sensational seven tries as New Zealand thrashed the United States to reclaim the Pacific Four Series title.
In the process the winger became the Black Ferns’ all-time leading try scorer with 45 from 26 Tests, surpassing Vanessa Coutts’ record of 43 in 16.
After Canada’s 45-7 win over Australia in Brisbane on Friday, the Black Ferns had to beat the Eagles by 25 points and secure a four-try bonus point.
They duly scored 13 tries on Saturday to claim a crushing 79-14 success in Albany, Auckland.
Katelyn Vaha’akolo crossed four times on the opposite wing to Woodman-Wickliffe to take her tally to 23 tries in 16 Tests as New Zealand regained the Pacific Four Series crown from 2024 winners Canada.
Woodman-Wickliffe is the record try scorer in World Cup history and helped the Black Ferns win the tournament in 2017 and 2022.
The 33-year-old retired after winning rugby sevens gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics but reversed that decision last month, with an eye on another World Cup win in England this summer.
The Black Ferns led 34-14 at half-time, with Freda Tafuna and Hope Rogers scoring the USA’s two tries.
The hosts then scored 45 unanswered points in the second half, with Ruahei Demant and Stacey Waaka also touching down.
New Zealand and Canada both won in round one before playing out a thrilling 27-27 draw last week.
