Auckland Nines 2017: Jillaroos defeat Kiwi Ferns 20-4 in dominant first up win

THE Jillaroos look set to end their Nines drought against New Zealand after an impressive 20-4 win over their arch rivals in Auckland.

Maddie Studdon makes a run during their win over the Kiwi Ferns on day one of the Auckland Nines.

THE Jillaroos look set to end their Nines drought against New Zealand after an impressive 20-4 win over their arch rivals in Auckland.

After winning the two previous series, the Kiwi Ferns went into the opening game as hot favourites.

But that didn’t phase the Aussies, who took the lead early and never looked like losing.

The match was only 90 seconds old when long-striding Jillaroos forward Kezie Apps stepped through paper-thin Kiwi defence and raced 60 metres to score.

Another long range try followed soon afterwards, with speedy winger Chelsea Baker snapping up an intercept and sprinting 90 metres for the Aussie team and a 12-0 lead.

Chelsea Baker scored a double in the dominant win.

Powerhouse outside back Amber Kani gave the Kiwis some hope when she bullocked through three tackles to score early in the second half, reducing the deficit to 12-4.

But Baker clinched the when sliced through the defence midway through the second half for her second try.

The Aussies scored again right on fulltime to put the icing on a commanding win.

But the Kiwis have a chance to strike back today, with two more games to decide the series.