New Zealand Gains Women's Rugby World Cup Pool A Win

August 9, 2017

New Zealand Gains Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool A Win

Photo: INPHO/ Oisin Keniry (pictured Selica Winiata)

Doug Coil

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 began on August 9. In Pool A, New Zealand beat Wales 44-12 at Billings Park UCD, Dublin, Ireland.

New Zealand v Wales Recap

The Black Ferns scored their first try by Selica Winiata at the 8th minute after Portia Woodman stretched the defense with a break. Stacey Waaka added a try at the 22nd minute after continuing to pressure Wales.

Wales then fought back and their maul was difficult to defend. Wales attacked near the Black Ferns try line, but their defense held, earning a penalty and clearing the ball. Soon after Winiata added her second try. Just prior to the break, Renee Wickliffe intercepted a pass and went in for a try for a 20-0 lead at halftime.

New Zealand added two more tries in the second half by Portia Woodman and Eloise Blackwell, with the later try converted by Kendra Cocksedge to increase their lead to 32-0.

Wales answered back with a try by Sioned Harries and a conversion by Elinor Snowsill at the 61st minute to narrow the lead to 32-7. This try followed a break by Hannah Jones to create the scoring opportunity.

The Black Ferns countered with a hat trick try by Selica Winiata which was converted by Kendra Cocksedge to lead 39-7. Two minutes later Cocksedge went to the bin for a deliberate knock on from an interception if a Lleuca George pass. The Welsh pack did not waste time from the ensuing penalty as Melissa Clay drove over for a try, cutting the lead to 39-12.

Despite being a player down, Winiata added her fourth try for a 44-12 lead that held up to give New Zealand the victory.

New Zealand: 1 Toka Natua 2 Fiao’o Faamausili 3 Aldora Itunu 4 Eloise Blackwood 5 Becky Wood 6 Charmaine Smith 7 Sarah Goss 8 Aroha Savage 9 Kendra Cocksedge 10 Victoria Subritzsky-Nafatali 11 Renee Wickliffe 12 Kelly Brazier 13 Stacey Waaka 14 Portia Woodman 15 Selica Winiata 16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate 17 Sosoli Talawadua 18 Kate Mata’u 19 Lesley Ketu 20 Charmaine McMenamin 21 Kristina Sue 22 Theresa Fitzpatrick 23 Carla Hohepa

WALES: 1 Caryl Thomas 2 Carys Phillips 3 Amy Evans 4 Rebecca Rowe 5 Melissa Clay 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Rachel Taylor 8 Sioned Harries 9 Kiera Bevan 10 Elinor Snowsill 11 Jasmine Joyce 12 Hannah Jones 13 Gemma Rowland 14 Elen Evans 15 Dyddgu Hynel 16 Kelsey Jones 17 Cerys Hale 18 Meg York 19 Siwan Lillicrap 20 Lleucu George 21 Sian Moore 22 Robyn Wilkins 23 Jodie Evans

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