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Canada were defeated by New Zealand to the tune of 28-16 at Westpac Stadium on Friday in the first match of the International Women’s Rugby Series. A starring performance from Kendra Cocksedge saw the scrumhalf touch down twice and score 18 points in all as the strength of the Black Ferns defense restricted Canada to two tries and two penalty goals.
The larger and more confrontational New Zealand forwards showed their intent early. Opting for route one, they advanced to within striking distance and it was the captain Faio’o Fa’amausili who took the honors, reaching out to find the first score. Cocksedge was on target and Canada looked a bit stunned.
A mix of brute force and a touch of class from Selica Winiata accounted for the second try. The forwards did the hard work winning a counter-ruck and the diminutive Manawatu speedster did the rest, tearing around the corner and putting in a delicate chip ahead that held up perfectly for another seven-pointer.
Canada finally got their attacking game working late in the first half with simple hands freeing Elissa Alarie on the left flank. A quick recycle and the ball was swung right, and two offloads later it was Jacey Grusnick who slid over the line. Magali Harvey couldn’t land the extras but made up for it with a penalty kick on the stroke of half-time.
Despite having a numerical advantage for nearly half of the second stanza, Canada could only manage a second penalty goal from Harvey sandwiched in between two Cocksedge tries. The first was again from forward power, with the zippy halfback bouncing over under the shadow of the posts. The second was a clean break with the Canadian fringe defense found wanting. Elissa Alarie crossed for a consolation try at the death but New Zealand were well and truly in cruise control by then.
Canada now look to find their best in another tough match against England on Tuesday. New Zealand continue their Series in a trans-Tasman derby against Australia.
SCORING
NEW ZEALAND 28
Tries – F. Fa’amusili (5’), S. Winiata (23’), K. Cocksedge 2 (45’, 55’)
Cons – K. Cocksedge 4/4 (6’, 24’, 46’, 56’)
Yellow cards – P. Love (40’), V. Subtritzky-Nafatali (51’)
CANADA 16
Tries – J. Grusnick (37’), E. Alarie (80’)
Cons – M. Harvey 0/2
Pens – M. Harvey 2/2 (40’, 49’)
TEAMS
NEW ZEALAND
1 Pip Love, 2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili (capt.), 3 Aleisha Nelson, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 5 Charmaine Smith, 6 Rawinia Everitt, 7 Sarah Goss, 8 Aroha Savage, 9 Kendra Cocksedge, 10 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, 11 Renee Wickliffe, 12 Kelly Brazier, 13 Stacey Waaka, 14 Portia Woodman, 15 Selica Winiata
Replacements: 16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 17 Toka Natua, 18 Aldora Itunu, 19 Linda Itunu, 20 Lesley Ketu, 21 Kristina Sue, 22 Honey Hireme, 23 Theresa Fitzpatrick
CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen, 2 Laura Russell, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Kayla Mack, 6 Jacey Grusnick, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Chelsea Guthrie, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Elissa Alarie, 12 Amanda Thornborough, 13 Brittany Waters, 14 Magali Harvey, 15 Julianne Zussman
Replacements: 16 Mary-Jane Kirby, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Cindy Nelles, 20 Barb Mervin, 21 Lori Josephson, 22 Alex Tessier, 23 Frédérique Rajotte
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tim Baker (HKRFU)
Assistants: Amy Perrett (ARU) & Brittany Andrew (NZRU)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZRU)
