Black Ferns v Wallaroos – Pacific Four Round One
The Black Ferns had an almighty shock as the Wallaroos led the dance at half-time 10-5. They were well worth their lead; in dreadful conditions, the rain teeming down, their pack ruled the roost and their backs proved far more cohesive than anyone had a right to suspect.
They won the first scrum with some ease, then set up a driving maul that was stopped only by a crossing decision from Sara Cox.
On eleven minutes they got a series of pick and goes moving that finished with the dangerous Liz Patu crossing for the first score. Luka Connor converted. (0-7)
The Ferns were rattled. In the opening fourteen minutes they conceded five penalties, often for not rolling away fast enough.
Connor stretched the lead with a fine penalty. (0-10) Furrowed brows visible through the mist.
In mid-half the Ferns managed to slow the Wallaroos rucks down enough to win a turnover. Ruahei Demant, the new skipper, made a break, but a follow-up pass wouldn’t stick. That was an excusable feature in tricky conditions. They affected the line-out in particular, both sides finding it hard to complete their plans as desired.
As the rain came down harder, the Ferns took a quick-tap and Ayesha Leti-I’iga was over in the left corner.
That was the one official decision that could be doubted. The vain tackle on Leti-I’iga was definitely high, but the TMO decided it was not dangerous. Not many observers agreed with him, but Cox did.
Half-time: 5-10
This is where coaches earn their corn.
Wayne Smith had watched the earlier Canada-USA with equal attention, and Sir Graham Henry was spotted at the back of the stand.
The analysts will be working hard to discover how the scrummaging battle swung so violently from one side to the other. In the first half the Wallaroos were in charge up front.
At the first scrum after the break they were in reverse gear, and that set the tone for the rest of the game.
Two searching kicks by the record-breaker Kendra Cocksedge – she led her team out to a great reception – put the home team on the attack.
Her front row was switched over on 45 minutes. Was that the simple solution to their problems? At once they won a scrum penalty and the crowd cheered.
The Ferns thought they hsd scored a second try, but the TMO pointed out a double latch, and they had to try again. This time it was legal. Alana Bremner, playing alongside her sister Chelsea for the first time at this level, powered her way over, helped by a clever blind-side feed from Cocksedge. (10-10)
Now it was as much a question of match fitness as anything and here the Ferns proved superior.
The new No 8, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, picked up at the base of a scrum and ran all the way to the line; a game-changing moment. (15-10)
Into the last quarter and Cocksedge at last managed to kick a goal, a penalty in front. The writing was on the wall. (18-10)
On 64 minutes Shannon Parry was left with a tricky choice: offered a penalty in front, but over 30 metres out, she opted for three points, but Connor’s kick sliced right. The Wallaroos still needed two scores.
Right on 80 minutes the Ferns scored a final try that gives the result a more one-sided look than is fair. It was a repeat move, Cocksedge lobbing a pass over the top to the blind-side winger, Leti I’iga, for her second.
Result: New Zealand 23 Australia 10
Teams:
New Zealand: Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Kelsey Teneti, Chelsea Semple, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Ruahei Demant (captain), Kendra Cocksedge; Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kendra Reynolds, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Krystal Murray.
Bench: Luka Connor, Angel Mulu, Tanya Kalounivale, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Tafito Lafaele, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic, Cheyelle Robins-Reti.
Australia: Lori Cramer, Mahalia Murphy, Georgina Friedrichs, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Ivania Wong, Trilleen Pomare, Iliseva Batibasaga; Grace Hamilton, Shannon Parry (captain), Emily Chancellor, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Bridie O’Gorman, Adiana Talakai, Liz Patu.
Bench: Ashley Marsters, Madison Schuck, Asoiva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Cecilia Smith, Arabella McKenzie.
Officials:
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
ARs: Julianne Zussman (Can) and Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Can)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Afterthoughts
Wayne Smith has been sweeping clean, introducing a new style of play. So new that one report claims he wanted to see ‘lots of mistakes’! That’s brave coaching for you.
It was their first home game in three years; the last away games best forgotten as a bad dream.
The Black Ferns could hardly have enjoyed a more convenient send-off into their new era; pitted against familiar opposition that held few terrors for them. They had met and beaten them every time.
The closeness of the game was just what they needed. The Wallaroos played well above expectations, Bridie O’Gorman, Grace Hamilton and Liz Patu among those who shone.
