Black Ferns player ratings v Wales | 2021 Rugby World Cup
The Black Ferns and Wales battled in the second quarter-final of the 2021 Rugby World Cup, with the Kiwis claiming a 55-3 victory.
The teams met in pool play just two weeks ago and this game followed a similar formula – that being the Black Ferns spreading it wide and scoring at will. The Welsh scrum was a strong feature in the last test but didn’t show up this time around, limiting the Welsh strengths and capacity for game management even further.
As usual, The Black Ferns’ backline showed out, every player showed their class and ability to beat the one-on-one tackle and Portia Woodman claimed the record for most tries scored in World Cup history.
A quarter-final exit brings to a close a spirited Welsh World Cup campaign while the Black Ferns will face a new level of challenge when they play France in the Semi-Final next weekend.
Here’s how the Black Ferns rated in the win:
1. Pip Love – 7/10
The Kiwi scrum certainly had power, controlling it was the issue. Love was New Zealand’s strongest performer at the breakdown out of the starting unit.
2. Georgia Ponsonby – 6
A quiet night for Ponsonby, she had limited impact around the park but had the line-out functioning well.
3. Amy Rule – 7
Charged at the defence fiercely, earning a try for her efforts. Wasn’t used as a ball carrier much and didn’t find herself around the ruck for the pick-and-go or short ball like we’ve seen from her in recent games.
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos – 6
Wasn’t able to provide the same dynamic display as last weekend but led her team in tackles.
5. Chelsea Bremner – 6.5
Great lineout disruption to start the game. Her skill-set with tip balls in close makes her the go-to distributor in the tight channels. The Black Ferns’ forwards woeful efforts to claim possession on the kick off’s are a real concern and could be targeted by France.
6. Alana Bremner – 5.5
Showed the fitness and work rate to contribute to the high-paced game. Physicality at the breakdown is lacking and will be a concern moving forward.
7. Sarah Hirini – 6
Uncharacteristically ill-disciplined early, gifting Wales their first points of the game and some further territorial advantage. Showed uncanny strength to score in the corner but wasn’t on the park quite long enough to truly find her rhythm.
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u – 5
Didn’t provide the energy or physicality needed at the breakdown. Found a burst of enthusiasm late but was still passive in the contact at times.
9. Kendra Cocksedge – 9
Excellent as always. A constant threat, her sniping runs broke Wales’ tight defence early. Her few box kicks were purposeful and well-executed.
10. Ruahei Demant – 5
A far better showing off the boot. Otherwise, a shaky outing with ball in hand with kicks landing straight in the Welsh hands which lost her team both possession and territory. Luckily, even a poorly executed crosskick results in a try with Woodman and Tui on the receiving end.
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga – 7
Showed real capacity for making meters, but not quite the composure to finish the play. Can’t fault her enthusiasm with ball in hand, just wasn’t given the space to make the plays we know she’s capable of.
12. Theresa Fitzpatrick – 8
Hit just the right angle every time she ran at the line, engaged the line well to free her backs, executing all but one pass. Voted player of the match.
13. Stacey Fluhler – 9
It takes Fluhler just a split second to hit the gas and burn her opposition. Her defensive anticipation and timing was spot on. Incredible fluency as a distributor.
14. Portia Woodman – 9
Her one-on-one skills certainly aren’t restricted to attack. Now holds the well-deserved title of leading try scorer in World Cup history. The forwards could learn a thing or two from Woodman’s drive when attacking the breakdown.
15. Ruby Tui – 8
Tui doesn’t get quite the same number of touches at fullback but she makes the most of them. Her presence on the pitch is huge for the team and her energy will prove crucial to the Black Ferns’ title aspirations.
Reserves
16. Luka Connor – 9
Wasted no time in scoring a try just a few minutes into her night, then again late. Her leg drive is a real weapon that could well find more usage in the coming game(s). Had a real fire and intensity and let the Welsh know about it.
17. Krystal Murray – 8.5
The second unit’s scrum was immense, marching the Welsh pack backwards at a pace that could be described as a light jog.
18. Santo Taumata – 9
Provided huge energy and strength off the bench, if Smith chooses to persist with this front row as the second unit, they make for one hell of a bomb squad.
19. Joanah Ngan-Woo – 8.5
Huge impact when she came on and ran at the Welsh line harder than anyone else.
20. Kennedy Simon – 8
Showed true class in her few minutes, her work around the park and especially the breakdown deserves more minutes.
21. Ariana Bayler – 6
A quiet performance, distributed well but wasn’t quite up for the pace of the game.
22. Hazel Tubic – 6
Made the most of her one carry.
23. Renee Holmes – 7
Made her tackles but missed her conversion attempts.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
45 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments