New Zealand beat battling Spain with 13 players

Womens Rugby World Cup - Pool C

New Zealand (21) 54

Tries: Miller 2, Mikaele-Tuu, Leti-Iiga 2, Ponsonby, Woodman-Wickliffe, Setefano Cons: Holmes 7

Spain (3) 8

Tries: Antolinez Pen: Argudo

Defending champions New Zealand started their quest for a record-extending seventh Womens Rugby World Cup with a curious 54-8 win over Spain at York Community Stadium.

Seeking to show their credentials after title rivals England and Canada compiled big wins in their opening matches, the Black Ferns only led 21-3 at half-time as Spain produced a battling display that belied their world ranking of 13.

Overcoming their first-half rustiness, New Zealand ran in five tries after the break, despite having to play with 13 women for the final 17 minutes.

Head coach Allan Bunting had already used all his replacements when Kaipo Olsen-Baker went off on a stretcher on 55 minutes following an injury to her left leg.

New Zealand were reduced to 13 when wing Ayesha Leti-Iiga also had to go off because of injury.

The Black Ferns still managed to score a try despite their two-player disadvantage but they conceded in the final play of the game as Spain touched down for a score their efforts deserved.

Jorja Miller caught the eye in the first half, scoring two first-half tries in a dazzling 40-minute World Cup debut before being replaced.

The great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who came out of international retirement in April in a bid to win a third successive World Cup, scored a record 21st World Cup try as New Zealand found their form in the second half.

New Zealand: Holmes; Sorensen-McGee, Du Plessis, Setefano, Leti-Iiga; Brazier, Hohaia; Tangen-Wainohu, Green, Rule, A Bremner (capt), C Bremner, Sae, Miller, Mikaele-Tuu

Replacements: Ponsonby, Viliko, Kalounivale, Bayfield, Olsen-Baker, Pouri-Lane, Demant, Woodman

Spain: Ducher; Bueriberi, Pena, Perez, Piquero; Argudo, Fernandez de Corres; Delgado (capt), Blanco, Bracic, Castelo, Alameda, Martinez, Garcia, Capell

Replacements: Jou, Antolinez, De Andres, Puig, Pineiro, Aresti, Vinuesa, Perez

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)

Assistant referees: Kat Roche (USA) and Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)

Television match official: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

More to follow.