Amy du Plessis: 'That was my hardest game. It was an awesome test, credit to Canada.'
The Black Ferns officially won their 100th Test match on Sunday (NZT) when they beat Canada 52-21 in an enthralling Pacific Four tussle in Ottawa.
The scoreline flattered the visitors with Canada only trailing the world champions 28-21 after 52 minutes.
Amy du Plessis was chosen as Mastercard Women of the Match. The Black Ferns centre scored two tries and was instrumental on the attack as the Black Ferns overcome a rough patch to crack a century of wins in their 117th Test.
The Black Ferns first official Test victory was also against Canada (24-6) on April 6, 1991, at the Rugby World Cup in Glamorgan, Wales.
“I had no idea this was our 100th win. I’ll have to tell the girls, that’s awesome and we’ll be stocked,” du Plessis said.
“We knew it was going to be a good test tonight that showcases the work that’s been done, but there’s also a lot of work to do.”
The Black Ferns jumped quickly to a 21-0 lead before Canada upped the ante physically and scored twice before the interval. Forwards Tyson Beukeboom, Fabiola Forteza, and Sophie de Goode were especially productive, with the latter so popular among the locals her name was chanted enthusiastically by the record crowd of 10,090 spectators during her after-match interview at TD Place Stadium.
Stern words at halftime helped New Zealand reclaim control.
“We spoke about carrying really hard and being a little deeper on attack, so we had more time to identify the space,” du Plessis said.
“Personally, that was my hardest game. It was an awesome test, credit to Canada.”
Both du Plessis tries were scored in the second half. She finished a break close to the ruck by halfback Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu whose shabby passing against Australia was left in the past and then she collected a bullet delivery from reserve halfback Iritana Hohaia as Canada waned. Additionally, a bust and kick du Plessis performed led to a Renee Holmes try. The Black Ferns fullback scored 17 points.
Beside du Plessis is World Rugby Player of the Year Ruahei Demant and second-five Sylvia Brunt who is shaping as a potential star. She had 11 tackles and 11 carries to back up her player-of-the-match display against Australia on June 29.
“It’s unreal with those two beside me. It makes my job easier. Lu as captain controls the game so well and Sylvia I can trust to defend. It gives me confidence,” du Plessis said.
“They’re going to break line a lot, so I want to make sure we play on top and I’m there to support when they make a break.”
With Theresa Fitzpatrick and Stacey Waaka starting midfielders at the World Cup, du Plessis was reduced to a supporting role. Still, she featured in all three pool wins and produced a particularly noteworthy display in the come-from-behind comeback against Australia which her grandad and aunty flew in from South Africa and Australia respectively to witness.
Down 0-17 after half an hour, the Black Ferns scored 41 unanswered points to eventually prevail handsomely. With 15 tackles, du Plessis’ defense was crucial in shutting down the initially elusive Wallaroos outside backs. Mentoring from 94-Test All Black and twice World Cup-winning centre Conard Smith no doubt proved useful.
In Super Rugby Aupiki she was initially dissatisfied with her own performances for Matat? until she produced a star turn in the final as the Southerns rallied from a 19-0 deficit to upset Chiefs Manawa 33-31. She told the New Zealand Herald afterward:
“I’ve probably struggled the last few weeks and haven’t put out the performances that I wanted to. I literally wrote ‘believe’ on my wrist because I wanted to just believe in myself, go out there, and know I could do it. I just did everything I could for my team.”
She was born in Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal, the hometown of legendary Springboks hardman Bakkies Botha. Her parents were the manager of a BMW store but shifted to New Zealand when Amy was seven, in pursuit of a safer lifestyle residing on a dairy farm owned by Amy’s grandfather in Southland. In 2016 she was in the Southland Girls’ High School First XV that won the National Top Four title. Future Black Fern Alena Saili scored a hat-trick for Southland.
Following Pac Four, which concludes with a Test against the USA this weekend, she’ll return to Canterbury to play the Farah Palmer Cup which starts on Saturday. Canterbury are the defending Premiership champions. In the 2022 final they toppled Auckland 41-14 with du Plessis scoring a try.
The Black Ferns are the quickest Tier I country to achieve 100 Test wins. England reached the landmark in 119 Tests in 2006.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to comments