England Women couldn’t make it two wins out of two in Canada on Wednesday with a 26-7 defeat to New Zealand at Red Deer Titans Park in Alberta.
The Black Ferns proved too dominant for this developing England side, running in two tries while the experienced Kendra Cocksedge kicked 16 points.
England, who had beaten the USA 39-13 on Saturday, started well with powerful No. 8 Alexandra Matthews claiming the first try of the day on 16 minutes after wing Lydia Thompson set her up for a break, which Emily Scarratt converted putting England 6-7 ahead after two earlier Cocksedge penalties.
New Zealand responded well and soon capitalised with a strong line-out and drive. England held firm until a missed tackle saw fly-half Victoria Subritski-Nafatali sneak through and score under the posts. Cocksedge made easy work of the conversion before adding a third penalty just before half-time handing the Black Ferns a 16-7 lead.
After the break, the fierce battle continued between these two rivals. In a very close game, both sides squandered opportunities close to the try line but in the end New Zealand were the more savvy and edged further ahead with another Cocksedge penalty.
In the final minutes, matters then worsened for England with fullback Selica Winiata running in for a last-gasp try thanks to some good work by fly-half Subritski-Nafatali. Cocksedge added the extras to make the final score 26-7.
Head Coach Simon Middleton, whose side will now take on hosts Canada in the final game of the Rugby Super Series on Sunday, said: “We played with enormous energy and enthusiasm but our execution and composure were not where they needed to be and the Black Ferns showed a ruthless touch on the opportunities we gave them.”
“However, we came here to find out about individuals and the team and there’s nothing like a defeat followed by a short turn around to challenge players both mentally and physically so we will regroup and prepare for what will be another huge Test match versus Canada.”
England
15 Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
14 Kay Wilson (Thurrock)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) VC
12 Amber Reed (Bristol)
11 Lydia Thompson (Worcester)
10 Megan Jones (Bristol)
9 Leanne Riley (Saracens)
1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)
2 Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens)
3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
5 Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) C
7 Marlie Packer (Wasps)
8 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)
Replacements:
16 Vicky Cornborough (Richmond)
17 Laura Keates (Worcester)
18 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield)
19 Heather Fisher (Thurrock)
20 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)
21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester)
22 Emily Scott (Thurrock)
23 Ceri Large (Worcester)
Tries: Matthews
Conversions: Scarratt
Substitutions: Fisher for Packer (25), Scott for Jones (40), Keates for Lucas (60), Cokayne for Fleetwood (60), Cornborough for Clark (60), Large for Reed (60), Burnfield for Hunter (70), Blackburn for Riley (70)
Rugby Super Series Fixtures
27 June 2015
England 39-13 USA
Canada 22-40 New Zealand
Calgary Rugby Park
1 July 2015
England 7-26 NZ
Canada 28-36 USA
Red Deer Titans Park
5 July July 2015
New Zealand v USA, KO 11pm BST
England v Canada, 1.30am BST (July 6)
Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton
All matches can be watched live here
