Black Ferns wallop Wallaroos in wet
The Black Ferns scored a commanding 44-17 win over Australia in the women’s rugby test played in Christchurch on Tuesday, winning the Laurie O’Reilly Cup.
Thanks to the quick thinking and excellent kicking game of Cantabrian and halfback Kendra Cocksedge, the home side was able to get a generous halftime lead of 34-5 and the visitors were never able to bounce back.
Cocksedge combined well with first-five Kelly Brazier, who was able to spot several gaps in the Wallaroo defence and feed her outside backs with some great ball.
The halfback said she was thrilled to be playing in front of a home crowd, despite the tough conditions of hailstorms and strong winds.
‘‘Awesome crowd, heaps of kids, heaps of families. It’s really cool to have a good crowd down here today,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s like we played four different games in that weather. A bit of hail in there, a bit of sun and the wind came in too, so it’s been pretty chilly.
‘‘Kicking into the wind was tough. I’ve played here a lot but never really had wind like that.’’
‘‘[I’m] really happy with the result. We come off a win, but we wanted to perform today and I think that’s what we did.’’
Watched by hundreds on the sidelines, the Black Ferns were quickly into stride. Cocksedge was able to get a handy kick downfield off the back of a ruck, which led to their first try.
The halfback recollected the ball and fed Brazier, who threw wide for Portia Woodman to dot over for her first of two in the corner, converted by Cocksedge.
As the dark clouds threatened rain on Rugby Park, the Wallaroos did their best to get past the Black Ferns’ advantage line, but rarely broke any tackles.
Off another Cocksedge kick downfield, Australian fullback Ashleigh Hewson’s clearance was charged down by Honey Hireme, who fed the ball to Selicia Winiata for her first of two tries.
Hireme then starred by fending off three tacklers and giving a handy offload to hooker Fiao-o Faamausili, who was in support and able to cross the line for the Black Ferns’ fourth.
This was followed by a great drive over from the Black Ferns forward pack, with prop Toka Natua taking the glory.
Australia struck back through winger Cobie-Jane Morgan who scored out wide to make it 27-5.
Just before halftime the Black Ferns were able to score through Cocksedge who took the ball off the back of the ruck and scored under the post to make her own conversion easy.
The second half slowed down, as the weather turned for the worse.
Woodman was the first to score for her side when again the ball was thrown quickly out wide and the speed of the Black Ferns backs was too much for the Wallaroos.
Australia’s Cheyenne Campbell then grabbed two of her own at the other end, but the game was already won.
No 8 Charmaine McMenamin charged over for the Ferns to make the final score 44-17.
Earlier in the day England narrowly beat Canada 27-20.
The four teams are playing in an international series.
The Black Ferns won the opener in Wellington on Friday against Canada 28-16, while the Australians were beaten 53-10 by England in Porirua.
The Black Ferns will play England in Rotorua on Saturday, before the New Zealand Maori take on the Lions, while Australia will play Canada there also.