England and Australia won their opening matches in the World Cup Nines tournament.

The matches were the first that the players had ever been paid for. The two-day tournament sees each earning 2,000 Australian dollars.

England were victorious over Papua New Guinea (PNG) with a 25-4 win. Try scorers included Leah Burke and Emily Rudge. Rhiannion Marshall picked up two scores over the whitewash.

Australia beat neighbours New Zealand 22-8. The Aussies, who are hosting the inaugural event, are the favourites to win the tournament.

Ali Brigginshaw, NewsChain's player to watch, scored the fourth and final Aussie try that sealed their victory.

The rest of the group matches and the final are set to be played tomorrow.