Black Ferns Dominant Win Over Canada Propels Them to Semi-Finals at #WRWC2017

August 17, 2016

Black Ferns Dominant Win Over Canada Propels Them to Semi-Finals at #WRWC2017

Photo: INPHO/James Crombie (Kendra Cocksedge and Sarah Goss celebrate with try scorer Kelly Brazier)

Doug Coil

The second ranked New Zealand Black Ferns beat the third ranked Canada 48-5 at Billings Park UCD on Thursday to win Pool A and advanced to the semi-finals. Canada did not secure a bonus point in the loss and will play in the 5th-8th knockout bracket.

New Zealand will be the number one seed in the semi-finals and will play the loser of the USA versus England match or France if they lose to Ireland.

In the opening round, the Black Ferns beat Wales 44-12, while Canada beat Hong Kong  98-0. In the second round, New Zealand beat Hong Kong 121-0, while Canada won 15-0 against Wales. Both teams are 2-0 and have 10 points and 9 points, respectively.

The match was streamed on http://www.rwcwomens.com. In Canada, the match was broadcast live on TSN/RDS. In New Zealand the match was broadcast on SKY TV. All Black Ferns matches will be streamed live on SKY SPORT 1.

New Zealand v Canada

Canada entered the match against New Zealand not giving up any points, however during the first half, the Black Ferns scored five tries to take a 29-0 lead at the break.

At the 7th minute Portia Woodman sliced through the Canada defense and offloaded to Selica Waaka for a try to lead 5-0. After Aldora Ituna was held up in-goal, New Zealand’s Ituna powered her way over the line for a try and after Kendra Cocksedge’s conversion the lead was 12-0. Four minutes later Ituna scored again and Cocksedge converted and it was 19-0.

The Black Ferns Ituna was sent to the bin at the 28th minute for going high into the breakdown. Despite playing short, Stacey Waaka added a try. After time had expired, a Subritzsky-Nafatali offload to Kelly Brazier added a fifth try to lead 29-0 at the break.

The Black Ferns added their sixth try in the 51st minute, as Black Ferns captain Fiao’o Faamausili barrelled over on a pick and go and after a Cocksedge conversion the lead was 36-0. Faamausili earned her 50th cap in the match, the most of any Black Ferns’ players. She also is playing in her 5th World Cup.

New Zealand’s Eloise Blackwell was sent to the bin at the 58th minute and Canada used this to attack with multiple players involved before Jacey Grusnick went in for a try to cut the lead to 36-5.

The Black Ferns were not done scoring as Renee Wickliffe added a try in the corner and Aldora Ituna added her hat trick on a pick and go. After Brazier’s conversion the score was 48-5, which ended as the final score.

The Black Ferns dominated Canada today and their forwards led the way. Aldora Ituna was named the AON Player of the Match for her three tries from the tighthead prop.

Photo: INPHO/James Crombie (New Zealand prop Aldora Itunu was named the Aon Player of the Match)

Canada v New Zealand: 1. Carolyn McEwen 2. Laura Russell 3. DaLeaka Menin 4. Kayla Mack 5. Latoya Blackwood 6. Jacey Grusnick 7. Karen Paquin 8. Kelly Russell (C)  9. Lori Josephson 10. Emily Belchos 11. Julianne Zussman 12. Amanda Thornborough 13. Alex Tessier 14. Magali Harvey 15. Elissa Alarie (VC) 16. Jane Kirby 17. Brittany Kassil 18. Olivia DeMerchant 19. Tyson Beukeboom 20. Barbara Mervin 21. Chelsea Guthrie 22. Andrea Burk 23. Brittany Waters