The New Zealand Ferns have continued their recent dominance over the Australian Jillaroos with a 26-16 win in the women’s rugby league Test in Newcastle.

In a curtain-raiser to the men’s Test on Friday, Ferns captain Sarino Fiso and winger Atawhai Tupaea both scored two tries, while five-eighth Georgia Hale was named woman of the match.

Down 12-6 at the break, Jillaroos winger Karina Brown did her best to help the home side back into the contest with two tries of her own in the second half, but the Ferns held on to claim victory.

The win follows the Ferns’ 2-1 series win in January’s Auckland Nines, where Hale was also crowned woman of the series.

The Jillaroos won the corresponding fixture 22-14 in Brisbane last year.