IT was not the result that Ruan Sims wanted, but the skipper was proud of the way the Jillaroos fought to the end in a 26-16 loss to the Kiwi Ferns at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.

The older sister of Knights duo Tariq and Korbin, Ruan finished her first game as captain on the sideline with ice on a swollen eye after a bruising encounter.

The Jillaroos started strongly, but succumbed to the size and power of the Kiwis, who ran in six-tries-to-two. "I'm so proud of the girls and the way we fought to the end," Sims said.

Newcastle centre Caitlyn Moran provided one of the highlights for the Jillaroos when she landed a sideline conversion in the dying stages.

Initially 18th woman, Moran joined Hunters Stars teammate Emma Young on the bench after Kody House succumbed to injury.

Both were injected into the game midway through the first half and played strongly.

A crowd of about 5,000 at kick-off had swelled to close 20,000 by full-time but it wasn't enough to lift the Australians.

The home sided opened the scoring with a penalty to Maddie Studdon but a double to winger Atawhai Tupaea steered the visitors to a 12-6 lead at the break.

Kiwi skipper Sarina Fiso crossed from a well-worked set play early in the second half to extend the margin to 10.

Jillaroos winger Karina Brown, who was outstanding, responded with a brilliant solo effort but from there it was all the Kiwis.