Black Ferns Sevens icons stand tall during second-half blitz in Perth
Stacey Waaka. Michaela Blyde. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. All three players will go down in history as icons of the Black Ferns Sevens, and they showed the world why once again on Friday.
It didn’t come easy but defending world champions New Zealand kicked off their Perth SVNS campaign with a promising 29-5 win over Japan at Perth’s HBF Park.
The full-time score might not necessarily show that the game was close, but Japan shot out of the blocks with an admirable start. They certainly threatened to take the lead, too.
Jazmin Felix-Hotham scored the opener for the New Zealanders in the second minute, but after a try to Japan’s Michiyo Suda shortly after, Felix-Hotham was shown a yellow card.
Down to six players, the Black Ferns Sevens were on the back foot. While their backs weren’t exactly up against the ropes, the Kiwis braced for a defining two-minute period.
But they stood tall. The first half was scoreless from that point, with the previously mentioned legends – including another generational talent – piling on the points.
That ‘generational talent’ is none other than Jorja Miller – the teenager who signed the longest contract by a women’s player in New Zealand last November.
Waaka, Blyde, Woodman-Wickliffe and Miller all lived up to their reputations as world-class players during a second-half blitz from Australia’s neighbours from across the ditch.
“I’m not the new girl anymore but it’s cool,” Miller told RugbyPass after the match.
“Being able to go out there and keep doing my job. The main thing is having fun and sevens is all fun.
“Being out there with the girls, I can’t complain and the pressure’s just on the outside.
“Being able to have cool, calm-headed players across the field makes it a lot easier,” she added.
“Especially for when the girls come on and bring impact, to stay connected and just stay calm, trust our process.
“It’s pretty special to have such an experienced bunch.”
It was a tough afternoon for everyone, not just the New Zealanders, on Australia’s west coast. With the temperature up around 30 degrees Celsius, players braced for gruelling matches.
Miller, 19, walked off the field still breathing heavily after the match. The rising star was exhausted, but she still let out a chuckle when asked about the heat.
It’s hot in Perth – and that’s underselling it.
“I thought we had an upper hand coming from summer, whereas some of the countries are coming from winter but it’s definitely hot out here,” Miller said.
“We thought we’d be able to cope because it’s been windy the last couple of days but nah, it’s hot on that field.
“It’s been hot at home so we thought ‘surely this is good enough’ but we’ve been in the saunas trying to adjust.
“But there’s nothing like the heat playing rugby.”
The Black Ferns Sevens had their 41-game unbeaten streak brought to an end in the final of last month’s Dubai SVNS out in the desert. Australia emerged victorious that night.
Australia continued to stamp their authority on the SVNS Series in Cape Town a week later, while their Trans-Tasman rivals fell short with a shock loss to France in the semis.
But they’re not panicking. The Black Ferns Sevens are focusing on themselves as they look to bounce back in Perth.
“From the start of the season, we’ve known our journey and we’ve really bought into that so we’ve done a lot of work on our vision, our team culture and connection.
“We trust that if we all buy into that, the results should follow.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to comments