Canada falls to clinical New Zealand

Canada produced a spirited performance but ultimately fell short by 40-22 against an experienced New Zealand Black Ferns side in the second game of the Women’s Rugby Super Series Day 1.

After an colorful rendition of their haka, New Zealand struck first as Charlene Halapua went over on debut to take an early lead. That seemed to revive the sluggish Canadian side, and they replied with a close range try of their own via tighthead Olivia DeMerchant to level the scores.

The two sides battled for 15 minutes before a penalty in front of the sticks gave Kendra Cocksedge a shot at goal, and that sparked a ferocious five minutes from the Black Ferns. Honey Hireme broke through a couple tackles to touch down on the right side, and then a clean break from Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali set up a two-on-one with Chelsey Alley on hand to finish it off.

Things were not looking good for Canada but Latoya Blackwood galloped 40 metres up the middle and though she was tackled by Silica Winiata, the ball was recycled quickly enough for Amanda Thornborough to finish, with Andrea Burk’s conversion drawing the margin to within one score at the break.

The comeback wasn’t to be, however, as Renee Wickliffe and Subritzky-Nafatali touched down along with a mesmerising solo effort from Hireme that began on her own 22 to settle it. Consolation tries from Blackwood and Tyson Beukeboom brought some respectability back to the scoreline, but Janna Vaughan had the final say to put the icing on the cake for New Zealand.

Canada were competitive for much of the match and tried to play expansive rugby, but numerous passes went off target to stifle promising attacks. They also struggled with their defensive alignment at times. New Zealand were more effective at the breakdown and clinical on the counterattack, moving the ball wide immediately to create scoring opportunities.

Blackwood was Canada’s player of the match, justifying her selection on the flank, and Barb Mervin was ubiquitous in her 50-odd minute return to the lineup. Hireme was the class of New Zealand, with Cocksedge directing play superbly and captain Faio’o Fa’amausili doing a lot of the hard work up front.

“We ran hard, we were up in their face in defense, it’s just connecting it all together that we’ll work on for next game. We’ve got a great bunch of ladies and I’m confident we’ll get it worked out.” – Laura Russell

“I’m very proud. Canada gave it to us in the first 20 minutes, but we dug deep and held out. It was a hot day today. We’ll go back and look at the video, there’s some areas we need to polish, especially our set pieces, so we’ll go from there.” – Faio’o Fa’amausili

 

SCORING

NEW ZEALAND 40
Tries – H. Hireme 2 (27, 56), C. Halapua (6), C. Alley (32), R. Wickliffe (48), V. Subritzky-Nafatali (61), J. Vaughan (76)
Cons – K. Cocksedge (62)
Pens – K. Cocksedge (25)
Yellow card – A. Itunu (72)

CANADA 22
Tries – O. DeMerchant (10), A. Thornborough (40), L. Blackwood (67), T. Beukeboom (74)
Cons – A. Burk (40))

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Laura Russell (capt.) (Carolyn McEwan 77) 2 Mary-Jane Kirby (Julia Folk 77) 3 Olivia DeMerchant (DaLeaka Menin 77) 4 Tyson Beukeboom 5 Maria Samson (Emma Taylor 50) 6 Barbara Mervin (Cindy Nelles 52) 7 Latoya Blackwood 8 Jacey Murphy 9 Chelsea Guthrie 10 Alex Tessier 11 Natasha Smith (Lisa Gauther 37) 12 Andrea Burk (Katie McNally 55)13 Amanda Thornborough 14 Brittany Waters (Jess Neilson 72) 15 Julianne Zussman

NEW ZEALAND
1 Toka Natua (Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate 68) 2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili (capt.) (Teresa Te Tamaki 77) 3 Aleisha Nelson (Aldora Itunu 66) 4 Eloise Blackwell 5 Charmaine Smith 6 Charlene Halapua (Angie Sisifa 64) 7 Justine Lavea (Lesley Ketu 75) 8 Linda Itunu (Aleisha Nelson 79) 9 Kendra Cocksedge (Emma Jensen 71) 10 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali (Kiritapu Demant 75) 11 Renee Wickliffe (Janna Vaughan 75) 12 Chelsea Alley 13 Stacey Waaka 14 Honey Hireme 15 Selica Winiata