1
Black Ferns claim Super Series title with win over England
The Black Ferns have enhanced their reputation as the world’s premier women’s team with a convincing win over England in the Women’s Super Series decider.
ADVERTISEMENT
The New Zealanders came away with the title in San Diego on Sunday [local time] after defeating the English 28-13 in a top-of-the-table clash, with wing Renee Wickliffe inflicting most of the damage with a well-taken hat-trick of tries.
As a result, the Black Ferns have maintained their status as the number one women’s side in the world, despite their 25-16 defeat at the hands of France last week.
Although Wickliffe’s three tries helped keep New Zealand in the box seat for the majority of the contest, the Black Ferns still had to overcome adversity in the form of two yellow cards, one to hooker Te Kura Ngata-Arerengemate, and another to loosehead prop Toka Natua.
However, the class of Wickliffe was enough for the reigning world champions to clinch victory, with the first of her trio of tries coming in spectacular fashion as she dived in on the right-hand corner.
Her second came through an intercept, while her third was the result of good support play and tidy running lines as she latched onto an offload to 12-point lead.
Wickliffe’s efforts were aided by the boot of star halfback Kendra Cocksedge, who kicked five from six shots at goal to put the match beyond doubt.
ADVERTISEMENT
England had a say in the match through a try to midfielder Emily Scarratt, who converted her own try and added an extra two penalties, but it wasn’t enough to see off the threat of the Black Ferns.
Earlier in the day, France thrashed the United States 53-14, leaving the hosts to languish in last place behind fourth-placed Canada.
With the Super Series all wrapped up, the Black Ferns will now turn their attention to a two-match series against Australia, with both matches acting as curtain raisers to the Bledisloe Cup tests between the All Blacks and Wallabies in Perth and Auckland next month.
New Zealand 28 (3 tries to Renee Wickliffe; 2 conversions and 3 penalties to Kendra Cocksedge)
ADVERTISEMENT
England 13 (Try to Emily Scarratt; conversion and 2 penalties to Scarratt)
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments