Pacific Four Series: New Zealand and Canada tie, Australia beat USA

New Zealand and Canada tied 27-27 in a thrilling second round of the Pacific Four series in Christchurch.

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who scored two tries on her debut in last week’s opening match against Australia, began the scoring for the world champion Black Ferns in the sixth minute.

Defending champions Canada responded almost immediately through DaLeaka Menin’s converted try and the teams were level at 12-12 at half-time.

The scoring continued to fluctuate after the break, with Ayesha Leti-l’iga adding her second try for New Zealand before Alysha Corrigan and Olivia Apps touched down for Canada.

Shoshanah Seumanutafa then gave Canada a 27-22 lead after 77 minutes but Julia Schell missed the conversion, allowing Sylvia Brunt’s 83rd-minute try for the Black Ferns to level the scores.

But Ruahei Demant also missed her kick to squander New Zealand’s last-gasp winning opportunity.

In Canberra, Australia comfortably beat USA 27-19 to get their first win of the series.

Hope Rogers scored all three of USA’s tries, including the opener, but scores from Eva Karpani, Ashley Masters and Charlotte Caslick saw Australia pull ahead 19-14 at half-time.

Masters added her second shortly after half-time and the Wallaroos held on for victory.

The series concludes with Australia facing Canada on Friday 23 May and New Zealand taking on USA the following day.

The teams are preparing for the World Cup in England which starts on 22 August, when New Zealand will aim to claim a third straight title.