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Black Ferns reclaim Pacific Four Series title with 65-point pummelling of USA
By Ned Lester
The Black Ferns needed a 25-point win over the USA to reclaim the Pacific Four Series in the final game of the tournament.
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That margin was claimed shortly into the second half and only widened as the game wore on. New Zealand were crowned champions with a 79-14 win.
It was a fierce Eagles team that greeted the Black Ferns, and after a rampaging driving maul got held up, it took a few minutes of battering the line to get the opening try through the finishing power of Freda Tafuna.
Within moments, it was the Black Ferns battering the USA’s line, and after being held up once themselves, the hosts broke the line through Katelyn Vahaakolo to level the scores.
A line break from Braxton Sorensen-McGee followed to keep the crowd energised. Jorja Miller’s second break of the game resulted in Vahaakolo’s second try in just the 14th minute.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe got involved with a couple of carries in the 23rd minute, the second of which saw her go one-on-one with Ilona Maher and score through contact in the corner. The Kiwi icon had a second moments later after yet another Sorensen-McGee break and a string of offloads.
Just as it looked like the game would be all one-way traffic, the USA were making their way back into Kiwi territory. Bruising phase play eventually got some reward with Hope Rogers scoring.
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New Zealand were eager to respond before halftime, and did so twice. Vahaakolo and Woodman-Wickliffe were the try-scorers, both completing first-half hat-tricks. Halftime score: 34-14.
New Zealand started the second half with two new props and immediately won a scrum penalty.
The USA probed but couldn’t connect to finish the effort. Once the Kiwis got their hands on the ball again, Stacey Waaka broke the line and offloaded to Miller, who had the ball ripped, only for it to find Woodman-Wickliffe, who scored.
A minute later, Vahaakolo was making a break down the left edge, leading to another five points, this time to Ruahei Demant. The co-captain slipped when converting but made the kick.
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The Kiwi scrum continued to be a weapon in the second period and helped make up for a knock-on that spoiled what would have been a try on debut for Vici-Rose Green. New Zealand won the scrum penalty and took a quick tap, sending the ball wide to Woodman-Wickliffe, who claimed her fifth try through plenty of traffic.
The scoreboard hit 60 when Vahaakolo got her fourth try of the evening, with Hannah King’s goal-kicking off the bench adding insult to injury.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s immense legacy earned another stripe with her sixth try, which crowned her the all-time leading try-scorer in Black Ferns history.
Tries to Stacey Waaka and yet another to Woodman-Wickliffe closed out the game, pushing the lead to 79-14. That scoreline remained at the final whistle.
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the return of woodman and the 7s players has made black ferns nailed on certainties for the world cup now. Cant see any team getting close to them.
Nailed on certainties before the tournament even kicks off? Might wanna turn the hyperbole down a notch or two. England might have something to say about the result.
Our pack remains vulnerable while Bunning persists with using Alana as a part-time lock. Hopefully he comes to his senses.
The USA exposed us at lineout, maul D, & close line ruck attack, at times. Alana’s a #6, & plays like one, which must affect her ability to give 100% to the 2nd row. So put her back there, & pair Roos up with another big body. Roos’ form to date has been poor & I wonder if this is a side effect of working overtime in the tight.
The high impact of the Sevens players was startling. Kennedy Tukuafu's place in the starting lineup is now in serious doubt due to Jorja Miller. And Risi is now clearly our top halfback. Those two, & Theresa & Stacey, were a class above their BFs ‘incumbents’. I’d pen the four of them in the 32 for the RWC squad, immediately.
Yeah it was alot better
The sevens additions had a startling impact
It’s incredible to see how RPL was light years ahead with ruck clearance
She is so fit and fast - and going the whole game
In fact all of them as expected went the distance and their skill level was some notches about many of the current BFs
Waaka as expected would be a lot better in all areas than ADP
Setefano forms that class combo
But nothing much was lost if any when Brunt came on
Jorja Miller is as good as Dupont and already showed her class
Portia 911 say no more
All of a sudden the BFs look a whole lot better but I agree about the deficiencies
I feel if they had played Canada now they would win by 20
Not enough for England and France but we could see those two are pretty equal now from the recent game
Then there’s Ireland of course - won’t won’t to lose to them again
That was absolutely terrible and a shadow of the current BF team
Anyway a good way to finish but much to improve
Haven’t seen it but that will have a sent a message to Ireland who have high hopes in their pool match at the WC
A bit rusty in 1st half as expected given the BFs had 6 changes in the starting 15 (& 9 changes across the 23 from the squad against CAN incl 4 debutants). The Coaches have been using PAC-4 as RWC trials & are a long way from deciding on the top squad yet, let alone the top 23. Still much work to do.
As for “high hopes”, it’s way too early for RWC conjecture.
Engrave the world cup for the Black Ferns now 🏆