Jillaroos and England start the Nines in style

The instructions from coach Brad Donald were to start fast and Australian co-captain Ali Brigginshaw obliged by setting up the first two Jillaroos tries before scoring one of her own.

A neat little chip-chase paid off for the Broncos half as she scored a five-point try under the Bankwest Stadium goal posts against New Zealand.

It blew the score out to 22-0 and despite to comeback tries by the Ferns through Atawhai Tupaea and Jules Newman, Australia enjoyed a comfortable 22-8 win.

"They came out firing and we couldn't keep up. We were definitely behind the eight-ball at the start and gave them too much possession. We ended up chasing our tails all day," Ferns utility Nita Maynard said.

Earlier England accounted for Papua New Guinea comfortably five tries to one in a 25-4 victory.

Brigginshaw was all class in Australia's opening two tries – she threw a bullet pass out to winger Shakiah Tungai, who raced down the western touchline. As the cover came across, she grubbered towards the posts with Keely Davis in hot pursuit to score in the Telstra bonus zone for a five-point try.

"It definitely wasn't planned. I just played eyes-up footy. I had a quick look and saw Keely was on my inside so I put in the kick – she was there to get the bounce," Tungai said.

Brigginshaw was at it again just minutes later when she drew the defence before a one-armed pass out to Tiana Penitani, who has now scored a try in the shortened games for Australia in both rugby union and rugby league.

Australia took a 13-0 lead at half-time but Brigginshaw's quick thinking 12 metres out from the southern goal posts gave the Jillaroos their second five-pointer.

"It's just recognising a lazy defender – that's what Nines is. I probably wouldn't do too many of them in the real game, but in Nines you've got to back yourself and your ability," Brigginshaw said.

The other Australian try scorer was NSW Origin fullback Corban McGregor, just before the break.

"It's only an 18-minute game so if you don't start well you'll be on the back foot," Brigginshaw said.

Winners, losers and highlights of day one

"That was the key point to start well. I thought the girls had lots of energy that kept the Kiwis at bay.

"The girls are so talented so at the start I just told them to back their ability. We've got some great athletes in the side. Some of the girls are a bit shy but I said 'This is your stage' so show everyone how athletic you are."

Maynard said the second-half scorecard read 9-8 in the Australians' favour so the Ferns would build on that for Saturday's games against England and PNG.

"That second half we can be proud about as we go forward to tomorrow," the Roosters hooker said.

"We watched the earlier game and they are both a lot different to Australia. The Aussies have a lot of pace but England and Papua New Guinea seem a bit more physical so here's hoping we bring that physicality to those next games."

In the earlier women's match Friday night, three second-half tries sealed a 25-4 win for England.

The Orchids dominated possession for the opening quarter and camped themselves inside England's 20-metre zone.

"We just weren't wrapping up the ball and they were getting the offloads out. We were scrambling a bit in defence," lock Rhiannion Marshall said.

"The message came on to 'stop the offloads' and that's what we did."

It was Marshall who started England's scorecard ticking over, with the first bonus try of the tournament.

Against the run of play, England moved the ball down the northern end of the field and Marshall scored underneath the posts in the black square.

After taking an 11-4 lead into half-time, England went further ahead through Marshall once again.

"I was really nervous as it was my first time coming out for England. I don't know really what to say – the gaps were there and I went for them," the Castelford Tigers vice-captain said.

"It's just a faster game where that catch-and-pass is so important, as well as having someone being there. You've got to support each other, play for each other. That's what Nines is all about."

Wingers Caitlin Beevers and Emily Rudge, along with St Helens' Leah Burke, were the other try scorers for England.

PNG's Ua Ravu scored in the shadow of half-time to give the Orchids a little joy.