New Zealand women were given a World Cup “wake-up call” after they were forced to come from behind to beat debutants Fiji in their opening game.

The Ferns are one of the most successful teams in women’s rugby league history – they have reached the final of all six World Cups, winning the first three before finishing runners up to Australia in the previous three years.

They are generally considered second favourites this time around and were expected to win easily against the Fijians in Newcastle on Sunday.

Instead, New Zealand were made to battle to an 18-12 win, having trailed 12-4 in the first half.

They were 12-10 down at the break – the first time they have ever been behind at half-time in a World Cup match.

“I’ve not really got any nails left. Or teeth,” New Zealand coach Ricky Henry told his post-match news conference.

“The good thing is we found a way, but the way we played is not what we should.

“We went away from what we were meant to do, so we are a little disappointed there. Rustiness is not an excuse.

“I reckon it’s a wake-up call, and the girls will think so too. We fought our way back, so we will take that away with things to work on.”

New Zealand looked to be on course for a comfortable day when Stacey Waaka scored after two minutes, but Fiji grew into the match before scoring after 21 minutes.

Skipper Sereana Naitokatoka made a clever run from dummy half to find Losana Lutu who scored Fiji’s first women’s World Cup try

And when Sienna Laing extended the lead five minutes later, suddenly the upset looked on.

Waaka scored her second try to close the gap before the break, but after the interval Fiji’s staunch defence still refused to give way.

But the pressure eventually told as New Zealand levelled then took the lead from Zehara Temara penalty kicks.

The win was not secured until the final minutes when Raecene McGregor’s cross-field kick found Leianne Tufuga to score.

“We didn’t put any expectations on ourselves, but they played like they had nothing to lose,” New Zealand player Georgia Hale said. “They tested our waters for sure.

“Everything was in our control, then we lost it. It was uncharacteristically ill-disciplined, untidy play.

“What we wanted to do today was basic. We wanted to set the tone for the tournament by being physical and by going forwards, but we went far away from that which is not us.

“We then had to work extremely hard to make up for it. It was definitely luck in the end.”

New Zealand face France at home in Christchurch next in Group B, while Fiji play Papua New Guinea.