Black Ferns eye Irish coup
GETTY IMAGES TWO down, one to go, in the Black Ferns’ quest to seal ideal preparations for next year’s World Cup.
Having cruised past Australia twice (67-3 and 29-3) at home, the Black Ferns were well aware their three-match tour of Europe was always going to pose sterner challenges.
Unperturbed, first up they faced world champions England at the Twickenham Stoop in London, and proved they can roll the best.
Trailing 17-7, the Glenn Moorecoached Black Ferns showed character to claw back for a 25-20 victory, one that will give them immense confidence when they venture north again for the World Cup in Ireland next August.
Halfback Kendra Cocksedge, a consistent star of this team, scored 20 points against England, including two crucial penalties in the final five minutes to be named player of the match.
Moore was chuffed with victory over the English, a team that enjoys a full-time rugby programme.
‘‘We were a wee bit slow to get going but England really took it to us at the start of that game and we expected that,’’ he said.
‘‘The experienced players were really good right throughout the week but we also recognise some of the young players who have really stepped up. I thought Charmaine Smith was sensational. Aldora Itunu was great off the bench too.’’
Cocksedge was similarly glowing about what the win meant to the team.
‘‘The first half was a little bit dusty,’’ she said. ‘‘We were on defence a lot and didn’t have a lot of ball but that turned around and we showed our attacking skills in the second half and we were able to execute and score some tries.
‘‘With the World Cup coming up next year we’ll take any tough performances we can get. It’s really important to get some game-time against the other top teams in the world.’’
In their second tour match, yellow cards to locks Charlene Gubb and Eloise Blackwell saw the Black Ferns struggle to a scrappy 20-10 win over Canada, their World Cup pool opponent, in Dublin on Thursday.
And, in their final match against Ireland on Monday, they have a chance to finish the year by retaining their No 1 world ranking.
Moore has made four changes and included two new caps, Sosili Talawadua and Jackie Fereti, on the bench for that match. Honey Hireme returns to the wing and Angie Sisifa also starts at No 8.
‘‘There’s a lot more in us yet,’’ Moore said.
‘ There’s a lot more in us yet.’ GLENN MOORE