The Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Faamausili says there were some early nerves in the team's World Cup opener against Wales in Dublin this morning.
Fiao'o Fa'amausili. Photo: Photosport
The Black Ferns beat Wales 44 -12 with the New Zealanders scoring eight tries and Manawatu fullback Selica Winiata touching down 3 times in the opening game of their 2017 World Cup campaign.
Wing Renee Wickliffe scored twice and centre Stacey Waaka, wing Portia Woodman and lock Eloise Blackwell also crossed the line for New Zealand.
The Black Ferns led 20-0 at halftime but Fiao'o Fa'amausili said there were some nervous edges to the opening minutes.
"We've been waiting since Sunday to play," said Fa'amausili.
"I think we were too eager, we made a few mistakes in the first 20 minutes but once we got going we had a good running game out wide."
Fa'amausili said it was satisfying to get a solid victory in the first game and they can now concentrate on their next opponents Hong Kong who they play on Sunday night.
"I'm really pleased with our defence - we defended right through. Our backs also ran really well, we've got a lot of speed out wide and we try to use that."
"The focus now is going back to look at our game. I know there will be a lot of work to do on our lineouts after today."
In other first round games Canada beat Hong Kong 29-0 and champions England beat Spain 56-5.
