WRWC- Black Ferns notch up 50 points.

The Black Ferns of New Zealand served notice that they might again be the team to beat at Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 as they overcame a spirited South Africa side 55-12 with wing Carla Hohepa scoring three tries and centre Kelly Brazier contributing 15 points.

The game was effectively settled as a contest within the first quarter as the three-time defending champions New Zealand made the most of the wind at their backs and ran in three tries in the first 15 minutes.

South African heads never dropped and they worked terrifically hard in defence but it was New Zealand who gave a lesson in taking chances as they ran in nine tries. The Black Ferns now have an iron grip on Pool A whereas South Africa have it all to do.

The tone was set from the first minute as centre Huriana Manuel made a scything break after the Black Ferns received the kick off. South Africa held out but it was a brief respite as swift hands across the backline gave Hohepa room and she easily outflanked her opposite number to score. Brazier added the extras.

Playing into a stiff breeze, South Africa had trouble getting out of their own 22 and a close range try for hooker Fiao'o Fa'amausili soon followed after a five-metre scrum was needlessly conceded to give the Black Ferns a dream start.

South Africa's travails continued as full back Zandile Nojoko missed with a penalty attempt and New Zealand ruthlessly countered with Anna Richards' fine pass putting Brazier through a gap in the midfield defence and under the posts, Brazier converting her own try before Hohepa caught South Africa napping for her second.

It didn't get any better as Manuel added a fifth as South Africa were punished for failing to find touch and it was 33-0 with the game barely into its second quarter.

Nothing went South Africa's way. Nojoko missed with another penalty attempt and even a charged down New Zealand kick led only to a second try from Manuel after a fortuitous bounce whilst Phumeza Gadu was denied a score as her kick ahead ran dead before she could touch down.

With the wind at their backs, South Africa came out fighting in the second half but an interception score from distance by New Zealand wing Renee Wickliffe was a further body blow.

There was still plenty of courage from South Africa but the defensive effort was starting to take a toll and Hohepa's hat trick try made it 48-0 after 55 minutes.

It was third time lucky for Nojoko as she kicked a 65th minute penalty but a further try from Casey Robertson underlined New Zealand's superiority and signalled their intent to retain the title they have held since 1998.

Watch a video of try scoring machine Carla Hohepa

POST MATCH REACTION

New Zealand coach Brian Evans: "We were a bit patchy. I thought for the first 30 minutes that we were excellent but there's plenty to work on.

"We'll be working on looking after the ball a bit better, we blew quite a few chances and were a bit flat at times. Even defensively, we over committed at times at the breakdowns when we didn't need to."

New Zealand hat-trick scorer Carla Hohepa: "It was awesome; it's good to get a win under the belt. All credit to the forwards [for my hat-trick], great set pieces and they let the backs fly. We will prepare [for Australia] the same as usual and we know that they are a step up. It's great to be out there, it's a great atmosphere, good supporters have come over from New Zealand and I'm raring to go for the next match."

New Zealand centre Huriana Manuel: "We came out firing, we were very excited for the first game and you saw that on the field. It was our goal to make a statement. We're not here to lie down, we're here to challenge for the cup and I think we put that across ."