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Wallaroos fall short against New Zealand
Australia’s quest for a historic victory over New Zealand has fallen short with the Wallaroos going down 23-10 in a rain-sodden Test in Tauranga.
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Lining up for their first clash in the Pacific Four series, which also involves Canada and USA, the Australian women led the Black Ferns at halftime for the first time in their 20-Test history dating back to 1994.
But they were unable to turn their 10-5 lead into a maiden win.
The performance under new coach Jay Tregonning bodes well for the future, however, with the teams set to meet in their opening World Cup game in New Zealand on October 8.
“We stuck to our game plan for about 60 minutes but then fatigue set in,” said Wallaroos skipper Shannon Parry.
“The Kiwis, they make you pay, and they did that to us today, but I’m really proud of the girls’ effort to hang in there until the end.
“We’ve improved massively and it’s about building towards the World Cup … this young, inexperienced team is taking leaps and bounds.”
The Australians got off to the best possible start, with their forwards dominating the early exchanges.
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Their most capped player, Liz Patu, came up with the opening try after the Wallaroos built pressure with their pick-and-go.
Lori Cramer added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The visitors had 79 per cent of territory after 20 minutes as the Black Ferns struggled to build any momentum, but were unable to translate that into enough points.
A Cramer penalty put the lead out to 10-0 but the Kiwis got on the board in the 31st minute when Kendra Cocksedge took a quick tap and winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga dived over.
Halfback Cocksedge, who became the most capped Black Fern with her 58th Test, was unable to convert.
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With seven debutantes in their squad, New Zealand started to find their feet after halftime with a new front-row getting them on the attack.
After having a try disallowed for an illegal bind, flanker Alana Bremner made no mistake in the 48th minute to lock up the match 10-10.
The home side then took the lead when No.8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker broke through the defence and stormed to the line.
While Cocksedge missed the conversion, she added a 60th minute penalty that put the lead out to eight points.
Leti-I’iga then scored their fourth try after fulltime to cap a courageous fightback for the Blac
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
23 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
23 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments