Black Ferns make it 4 in a row – England Women 10-13 New Zealand Women

New Zealand women always had the edge in a nail-biting and hard-fought game at the Twickenham Stoop in front of 13,000 passionate fans as they took their fourth Rugby World Cup victory.

Some would say that England did not deserve to win as they played for 3 minutes against 13 and 27 minutes against 14. But this does not tell the full story. Both sides were full of fire and commitment in all areas of contact, but apart from the machine Maggie Alphonsi the Kiwis possibly shaded it.

For both sides kicking boots went astray in the early period and so it took until 33 minutes and playing with 14 for the Black Ferns star of the tournament Carla Hohepa to find the smallest of gaps and score, with Brazier adding the conversion. Right on the 40 mins McLean had the chance to narrow the gap but hit the upright and so we went in to half time at 0-7 Black Ferns.

England started the second half with more purpose and were rewarded with a Mclean penalty on 42 minutes 3-7. But as so often is the way the Kiwis returned the complement on 56 minutes with a penalty by Brazier 3-10. The game was then lit up by some powerful forward play by England as they were awarded a series of penalties but took the scrum option. Just as the fans were thinking they would not score Charlotte Barras cut back and found the smallest of gaps to ground on the line and McLean added the extras 10-10 with 18 minutes to go. But yet again the Kiwis camped down in the England 22 and the inevitable penalty was awarded which Brazier slotted to take the game and burst the England bubble. Finals score:

England 10-13 New Zealand

Scorers

England
Tries: Barras Cons: McLean Pens: McLean
New Zealand
Tries: Hohepa Pens: Brazier 2 Cons: Brazier

Teams

England: Danielle Waterman, Charlotte Barras, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Katherine Merchant, Katy McLean, Amy Turner, Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemming, Tamara Taylor, Jo McGilchrist, Sarah Hunter, Margaret Alphonsi, Catherine Spencer (C)
Replacements: Emma Croker, Claire Purdy, Becky Essex, Sarah Beale, La Toya Mason, Alice Richardson, Amber Penrith

New Zealand: Victoria Grant, Carla Hohepa, Huriana Manuel, Kelly Brazier, Renee Wickcliffe, Anna Richards, Emma Jensen, Ruth McKay, Fiao’o Faamausili, Mel Bosman,
Vita Robinson, Victoria Heighway, Melissa Ruscoe (C), Justine Lavea, Casey Robertson
Replacements: Karina Penetito, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, Linda Itunu, Joan Sione, Kendra Cocksedge, Rebecca Mahoney, Trish Hina

3rd
Earlier in the day, Australia sealed third place in the competition with a 22-8 victory over France.

Follow @trwc

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

E-mail required)

URI