Black Ferns outclass valiant Wallaroos

Sat, Aug 27, 2022, 4:21 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Ever wondered what a day in camp looked like? We followed Sera Naiqama around for a day on the Gold Coast.

The Black Ferns have held off a gutsy effort by the Wallaroos to take a 22-14 victory at the Adelaide Oval.

Jay Tregonning's side started strong through debutant Bienne Terita as they hunted for their first win over the Kiwis.

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However, the Kiwis proved too dominant and controlled the contest as player of the match Joanah Ngan-Woo helps the visitors put on 22 straight points.

Terita and Emily Chancellor impressed throughout the 80 minutes as the winger eventually crossed for a double late in the game.

In the end, the world champions managed to close out the game as they ramp up preparations ahead of the World Cup with their 22nd straight win over the Wallaroos.

“It’s definitely an improved performance but discipline let us down and we couldn’t hold onto possession in attack,” captain Shannon Parry said after the game.

“They’re two things we’ll work on heading into the World Cup but massive thanks to Adelaide for hosting us and the Black Ferns for making their way over, it’s been a fantastic spectacle of women’s Rugby.

“Last week we were off the pace (in defence) but we corrected that today, however, we still let up a couple too many points.”

The hosts started strong in front of a passionate Adelaide Oval crowd as Chancellor put debutant Terita into space.

Sustained pressure by the hosts was rewarded as the 19-year-old dived over in the corner after missing out on a chance minutes earlier. Chelsea Sample was yellow carded for a high tackle in the build-up on Liz Patu that left the Black Ferns centre dazed on the ground.

Chancellor was everywhere for the Wallaroos, earning several penalties at the breakdown as well as providing a key link in attack.

She was joined by Georgina Friedrichs, who looked the most threatening with ball in hand as the hosts looked for their first win over the Kiwis.

The defending world champions eventually found their way into the contest, first via the boot of Ruahei Demant before a barging try by Luka Connor gave them a 10-7 lead.

Atasi Lafai was yellow carded as the Wallaroos struggled with discipline and to shut down the Kiwis around the ruck.

The hosts repelled waves of attack before the half, with excellent defence ensuring the margin was only three at the break.

However from the kick off in the second half, the Black Ferns dominated possession and territory as the hosts did everything to hold them out.

Chancellor once again came up with the clutch turnover before Shannon Parry got the pilfer on their own line.

The hosts failed to get out of their 22 to start the second half, allowing the Kiwis to build pressure.

In the end, the Kiwis were too strong as Ngan-Woo slamed it down to extend the lead.

She was shortly followed over by Kendra Reynolds, with the flanker spinning and diving over to extend the lead to 22-7.

Tertia and the Wallaroos got a consolation try as the Sevens star broke through the defence and dived over the line late.

"That was the response we wanted," Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning said.

"We spoke about during the week we were beaten around the corner so in attack and defence we werent in position. That was a big focus this week.

"A little bit of discipline let us down in the first half but that effort and winning that race around the corner was the biggest turnaround from last weekend."

BLACK FERNS 22

TRIES: Connor, Ngan-Woo, Reynolds

CONS: Demant 2/3

PENS: Demant 1/1

WALLAROOS 14

TRIES: Terita 2

CONS: McKenzie 2/2

WALLAROOS V BLACK FERNS TEAMS

Wallaroos: 1. Liz Patu 2. Adiana Talakai 3. Eva Karpani 4. Atasi Lafai 5. Michaela Leonard 6. Emily Chancellor 7. Shannon Parry 8. Grace Hamilton 9. Iliseva Batibasaga 10. Arabella McKenzie 11. Ivania Wong 12. Siokapesi Palu 13. Georgina Friedrichs 14. Bienne Terita 15. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

Reserves: 16. Ashley Marsters 17. Emily Robinson 18. Bridie O’Gorman 19. Kaitlan Leaney 20. Piper Duck 21. Layne Morgan 22. Trilleen Pomare 23. Lori Cramer

Black Ferns: 1. Pip Love 2. Luka Connor 3. Tanya Kalounivale 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5. Joanah Ngan-Woo 6. Alana Bremner 7. Kendra Reynolds 8. Kennedy Simon (cc) 9. Ariana Bayler 10. Ruahei Demant (cc) 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga 12. Chelsea Semple 13. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt 14. Ruby Tui 15. Grace Steinmetz

Reserves: 16. Natalie Delamere 17. Krystal Murray 18. Santo Taumata* 19. Chelsea Bremner 20. Charmaine McMenamin 21. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu 22. Renee Holmes 23. Hazel Tubic

Referee: Amber McLachlan

Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr & Tyler Miller

TMO: Lee Jeffrey

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