Barbarians push Black Ferns hard
The Black Ferns were back on home soil for the first time in 2020 and the challenge of the spirited New Zealand Barbarians was an excellent workout in the absence of test rugby.
The world champions won 34-15 at Trusts Arena in Auckland but a makeshift Barbarians outfit certainly tested the women in black, 10 months ahead of the defence of their world title in New Zealand.
The Black Ferns were only sure of their six-try victory once outstanding midfielder Grace Brooker pounced on a favourable bounce to score with 12 minutes left.
The Barbarians were largely second-best, as was expected, but it was a worthwhile exercise for the Ferns because those in red pushing for places in the national squad challenged the test incumbents, many of whom were playing their first match in the black jersey in 15 months.
In fact, the Barbarians trailed by just five points early in the second half after they pounced on a rare mistake from star New Zealand halfback Kendra Cocksedge, Lyric Faleafaga touching down from a grubber kick that turned the Black Ferns around. However, the chance of an upset was wiped out by a swift response from the team in black.
Cheyelle Robins-Reti’s try on her Black Ferns debut kept the Barbarians at arm’s length and was decisive in a match contested in fiercely warm spring weather.
Still, the Barbarians kept coming and prop Krystal Murray, lock Joanah Ngan-Woo, playmaker Patricia Maliepo and loose forward Alana Bremner were particularly impressive.
For the Black Ferns, first fiveeighth Hazel Tubic controlled much of the match and the presence of Aroha Savage at No 8, as well as loose forward Kennedy Simon, ensured their forward dominance, while lock Eloise Blackwell was solid as captain for the first time.
New Zealand’s last test was against Australia at Eden Park in August 2019 and their next won’t be until April or May at the earliest, so this was a huge chance for hopefuls in the Barbarians team to stake their claim for national selection because there will be limited opportunities to impress ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Earlier, another classic try from Cocksedge, catching the
opposition napping from a quick play, helped by Aroha Savage’s sublime offload, had the Black Ferns in front.
Savage had another assist when debutant wing Langi Veainu squeezed over in the left corner and the Black Ferns then pounced on awful errors from the Barbarians on their own line, as another debutant, lock Kelsie Wills, dotted down.
The world champions were on song and Veainu scored another out wide from Brooker’s astute offload, the lead then 20- 0 with Cocksedge missing four conversions from the touchline.
The Barbarians still looked dangerous with the ball, making the move to opt for three points via Maliepo’s penalty goal baffling. However it was somewhat vindicated when Murray powered over for their first try moments later.
Faleafaga’s try after halftime made it close but the Black Ferns were too strong and clinical when it mattered in the second half. The two sides clash again in Nelson on Saturday.