Black Ferns cruise past United States
The Black Ferns have started their northern tour on a predictably comfortable note, cruising past the USA in Chicago yesterday.
A win for the world champions was never expected to be in doubt, though despite the 67-6 scoreline a new-look world No 5 US team gave a decent account of themselves.
The Black Ferns made the most of the sunny conditions in playing their expansive style. The need to fling the ball wasn’t always the case, though, as New Zealand initially made a habit of utilising their strong rolling maul, on their way to dotting down for 11 tries.
Going into the match, the Black Ferns had a 10-1 record against the USA and last faced them in the semifinal of the 2017 World Cup in Ireland, where New Zealand won 45-12 on their way to claiming the title.
Following a comfortable two-test series win over Australia in August, it looked like New Zealand could have been in for a rather easy day at the office, as it took just 70 seconds for the first points, stealing a USA lineout on their line and forming a powerful maul which saw big tighthead prop Aldora Itunu crash over.
While the Black Ferns then had plenty of tackles to make and conceded several penalties, once they did get in position to strike they didn’t disappoint, with second fiveeighth Chelsea Alley burrowing over on the quarter-hour near the left corner.
Just three minutes later they were back at it in that same part of the turf, mauling from a lineout, with lock Eloise Blackwell the benefactor off the back of another strong drive, and with Kendra Cocksedge on song off the tee it was 21-3 after 20 minutes.
Around five minutes before halftime captain and hooker Fiao’o Faamausili extended the margin, from yet another powerful postlineout maul, and the visitors took a 20-point lead to the break.
Despite that deficit, the stats showed the USA had had an even share of possession. The fact they’d only had a quarter of territory was their main concern.
And early in the second spell they again found themselves pinned in their end, with some pretty average play seeing them penalised for having players in front of a clearance kick, then being caught short as Cocksedge raced to the mark to tap and spread for wing Renee Wickliffe to stroll over. It then became somewhat of a procession for the Black Ferns.
‘‘He’s one of the few talented players that can turn nothing into something.’’ Richie Mo’unga, above, on George Bridge
At a glance
stunning second-half cameo on debut where he crossed the line twice, including scoring with his first touch of the ball.
And it was none other than silky first five-eighth Mo’unga to set it up – sweeping shortside and breaking the line to help Bridge in for his 47th minute wonder-score – a try that would instantly make the 23-year-old’s wallet a bit lighter prior to flying home to New Zealand.
‘‘I think he’ll be shouting a few tonight,’’ Mo’unga said, expectantly, not long after fulltime.
‘‘It’s a special night for a lot of the boys, and a lot of them are Crusaders boys that I’m very close with as well, so it’s going to be a special night to celebrate what’s been an awesome year for them.’’
Indeed, while Mo’unga will now link up with the rest of the All Blacks squad in Europe for tests against England, Ireland and Italy, the likes of Bridge will head into the off-season no doubt inspired by the taste of the black jersey, and what could lay in store in future.
‘‘He’s one of the few talented players that can turn nothing into something,’’ Mo’unga said. ‘‘I’m not at all surprised by the way he performed tonight, it was just a matter of when he was going to get his opportunity.
‘‘And it just shows you how thorough he is with his preparation and how strong upstairs he is to come on and put a performance out like that in 40 minutes. I was happy for him and I’m sure his family is as well.’’
While happy for his provincial, Super Rugby and now national team-mate, Mo’unga could hardly be displeased with his own contribution – a casual 22 points from a try and eight from nine off the tee,