Cocksedge stars as Black Ferns post win

New Zealand are off and running, in their four-team international women’s rugby series.

The Black Ferns beat a very competitive Canada side 28-16 at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium yesterday, on the back of a terrific individual performance from halfback Kendra Cocksedge.

Earlier in the day, England kicked off the tournament with an emphatic 53-10 win over Australia at Porirua Park.

Things weren’t as one-sided at Westpac Stadium, where the Black Ferns had to work hard for what they got.

The early signs were very promising for New Zealand, when captain Fiao’o Faamausili scored in just the second minute.

The Ferns extended their lead when fullback Selica Winiata put in a grubber kick, chased, recover and finally dived over. Cocksedge made it 14-0 with the conversion.

Canada responded with a try to

New Zealand 28 (Kendra Cocksedge 2, Fiao’o Faamausili, Selica Winiata tries; Cocksedge 4 con) Canada 16 (Jacey Grusnick, Elissa Alarie tries; Magali Harvey 2 pen). HT: 14-8.

flanker Jacey Grusnick finished an attacking move, before a Magali Harvey penalty after the halftime hooter sent the teams to the break with the hosts up just 14-8.

Within five minutes of the restart, the lively Cocksedge had made it 21-8 when she darted in under the bar after a brief period of New Zealand pressure.

Canada responded with another penalty and continued to profit from bits of Black Ferns illdiscipline.

Prop Pip Love had been sinbinned late in the first half and then first five-eighth Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali followed her in with the score 21-11 after 51 minutes.