Wallaroos win tour opener in NZ

The Australian women's rugby team have snatched a morale-boosting win in the opening match of their whirlwind New Zealand tour.

Preparing to face world No.1-ranked New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday in the first of two Tests, the Wallaroos beat Auckland 21-19 despite fielding 11 uncapped players in their team.

The Wallaroos rallied from an 11-point deficit, only claiming the lead for the first time with seven minutes remaining.

Alisha Hewett, Sarah Riordan and Nareta Masters scored tries for the tourists and Chloe Leaupepe kicked two penalties.

The Australians, who have not played a Test since 2014, can now turn their sights to making history on Saturday as they have never beaten New Zealand in 13 previous Tests.

The first Test against the Black Ferns will be the curtain-raiser to the third Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks and the two women's teams clash again just four days later in the second Test.