Bienne Terita has stepped up in the absence of Maddison Levi as the Australians cruised to a 31-0 win over South Africa to start their Perth campaign.
Terita has taken on a greater role in the 2023-24 Series, especially after the suspensions of Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (Cape Town) and Levi.
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This continued into Perth as she scored a double to get Australia off to the perfect start.
“It’s pretty cool to play in front of friends and family and we needed the right start to set up the rest of the tournament,” Terita said after the win.
“Maddi Levi is pretty big shoes to fill but the girls have made my job pretty easy and I feel like I’ve just slipped in quite seamlessly which is really good."
Terita started fast, bursting down the sideline to score within the first 25 seconds.
Lefau-Fakaosilea added to the onslaught a minute later and she sliced through the defence for an easy try.
A great shot from Lefau-Fakaosilea then turned over the ball and set up Faith Nathan for their third of the half.
South Africa showed promise close to the end of the half but great scramble defence from Terita and the Aussies kept them scoreless into the half-time break for a 17-0 lead.
Terita made yet another break to start the second half and whilst she couldn’t finish that, the Wallaroo was over minutes later after Teagan Levi capitalised on a turnover.
18-year-old Heidi Dennis then celebrated a dream debut, crossing over untouched to the delight of the Australian bench that cheered every step of the way.
Dennis turned her attention to Rugby after emerging as a star in the Brisbane Roar Women's program
“It was a dream so it’s really exciting (to debut),” Dennis said after the win.
The Australians will turn their attention to Great Britain, who survived a thriller against Canada for a 14-12 win.
Ellie Boatman scored in the final minute to secure the comeback victory after speedster Jasmine Joyce put them in front before the break.
