The Jillaroos put on 17 tries when they thumped the PNG Orchids 84-0 in Brisbane but against a weaker team, at home and with more rest expect a better showing from the Orchids.
Best Bet
The line in this game is a complete overreaction to the Australian demolition of the Orchids.
The classy Australian team thumped PNG 84-0 but the Orchids had excuses. They were playing in Brisbane. They were on a ridiculous five-day turnaround from their PM’s XIII game. And the Kiwi Ferns are no Jillaroos when it comes to scoring.
Tahnee Norris has made sweeping changes to her team this week, a positive indicator that she is looking to build the standards of the Orchids.
Ricky Henry’s team tried gallantly against Australia but really struggled with ball in hand, laying a duck egg and going down by 14 to the Jillaroos.
There has been an arguably unnecessary show of arrogance this week from Henry with Api Nicholls, Annessa Biddle and Tiana Davison all rested. Mackenzie Wiki and Alexis Tauaneai debut.
The Orchids are a great bet to cover the huge line of 57.5 this week. They pushed the PM’s XIII, a 50-0 loss but one that saw the second half contained to just six.
The Kiwi Ferns have never lost to a team that isn’t Australia and a defeat is not on the cards here but they are off scoring zero and have scored more than 52 just once in the last decade and not since 2017.
These teams last met in 2017 and New Zealand won 38-0. This line is far too big.
Same Game Multi
Leianne Tufuga had a quiet year but has scored in one of four Tests and she has six tries in 16 games since moving to the Tigers in 2023. Australia’s wingers combined for 11 tries when they played PNG.
Amber Hall comes off a great tryscoring season where she scored five tries in 10 matches.
Value Bet
Brooke Anderson is not a noted tryscorer with just three tries in 25 games but this looks a great opportunity for her to score. She ran plenty from dummy half against Australia. Looks big odds.
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