Krystal Murray, left, and Kendra Cocksedge of New Zealand celebrate winning the Rugby World Cup 2021 Semifinal match against France. Photo / Getty Images
Black Ferns 25
France 24
After the dejection of last year’s northern tour against France and England, this was a test the Black Ferns entire year had been leading up to.
It didn’t disappoint.
With the two northern nations drawn in the same pool, it always looked likely the Black Ferns would have to get through one of the two in order to make the final. Add in the fact the French had won the last four meetings with the Ferns, and there was plenty of intrigue in the contest.
On the stage in front of 22,043 fans at Eden Park, the sides took on the roles expected. It was a battle of French physicality and defence, against the flair of the New Zealand attack, in a battle that went back-and-forth until the final whistle.
Ultimately it was Black Ferns that triumphed; claiming a 25-24 win and punching their ticket to face England in the final.
While it was the backs scoring all the tries – Stacey Fluhler, Ruby Tui and Theresa Fitzpatrick all crossing the line – the forwards should be applauded for the platform they laid.
It wasn’t long ago the Black Ferns pack was under the pump for struggling to match the physicality of their opponents, but on both attack and defence they were immense in the face of the French challenge.
It wasn’t long after the kick-off that the Black Ferns found themselves under the pump. An early knock-on welcomed the French into their territory, and a penalty from the ensuing scrum gave France the chance to attack from a lineout.
An area that had been an issue for the Black Ferns earlier in the year, they defended the attempted lineout drive well, but France were patient and eventually drew an offside penalty to take a three-point lead after six minutes.
While the Black Ferns had opportunities with the ball, they struggled to find an avenue through the French defence in the opening 20 minutes, though their forwards were doing plenty of work up the middle to force their opposition into action.
But again, it was a mistake from the Black Ferns that opened the door for France. When fullback Renee Holmes sent a clearance kick out on the full from a step outside the 22, the French attacked from the lineout again.
While the Black Ferns halted the drive, eventually No 8 Romane Menager – returning from a concussion suffered in the second game of pool play – crashed through to score.
The tide began to turn for the Black Ferns around the 30-minute mark as the work the forwards were doing up the middle began to open space out wide. A Holmes penalty got the home side on the board, before a try through Fluhler saw the Black Ferns level the score.
That lasted mere moments, however, as they conceded a penalty soon after the restart, and France scored through Gabrielle Vernier on the stroke of halftime.
But while the French had the better of the first half, the Black Ferns fought back in a big way in the second, scoring early through a lovely kick behind the line from Holmes which was chased down and planted by Tui.
It did, however, take until the 57-minute mark before the hosts took the lead, doing so through impressive midfielder Fitzpatrick – a Ruahei Demant conversion and penalty making the lead eight, though France again quickly hit back through Menager to close the gap to one point.
As the clock ticked down, both sides had their chances but both defences stood strong. It came down to a last-minute penalty attempt from French No 10 Caroline Drouin to decide it.
From 35 metres out just to the right of the posts, she hooked it away to the left, and the Black Ferns held on, closing out a massive win.
Black Ferns 25 (Stacey Fluhler, Ruby Tui, Theresa Fitzpatrick tries; Renee Holmes con, pen, Ruahei Demant con, pen)
France 24 (Romane Menager 2, Gabrielle Vernier tries; Caroline Drouin 3 cons, pen)
HT: 10-17
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