Rugby: Black Ferns sparkle in Aussie win

Balck Ferns celebrates Kendra Cocksedge try during the Womens Rugby Internation, Black Ferns V Australia, Rugby Park, Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.co.nz

Black Ferns 44
Australia 17

Job done, now for the big gun, England.

The Black Ferns sparkled in the first half of their Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy match against Australia in Christchurch. But the weather turned ugly, and they rather spluttered in the second stanza.

They shored up their scrum, a work-on from the defeat of Canada, with props Toka Natua and Aldora Itunu both having strong games. Wing Portia Woodman, largely unemployed in Wellington, scored one of her specials to open the account, skinning her marker on the outside, and finishing in style for her second. Fullback Selica Winiata also scored a double, once from a chargedown and the second on the back of numbers out wide.

However, the best of the eight Black Ferns tries was finished by hooker and captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili after a superb lead-up and the last pass by wing Honey Hireme.

New Zealand led 27-0 at better than a point a minute, but the floodgates never opened, though the heavens did, hail and rain and bitterly cold sleet following the sun. Both sets of backlines struggled to feel the ends of their fingers, but Australia, off the back of some powerful No 8 play by Victoria Latu, actually outscored the home side 12-10 in the second spell, tightening their game, bringing staunch defence and forcing New Zealand into errors.

Lock Charmaine Smith did put the exclamation point on the Blacks Ferns' first international in Christchurch since 1997, through a last minute score. Only two tries were converted, partially thanks to the blustery conditions.

In the earlier game, world No 2 England defeated No 3 Canada 27-20.

Now the four-way series moves to Rotorua, where the Black Ferns should have a big audience as they take on England in the Maori v Lions curtainraiser. They will seek a win and more accuracy over the duration than they showed here.

Black Ferns 44 (Selica Winiata 2, Portia Woodman 2, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Toka Natua, Kendra Cocksedge, Charmaine Smith tries; Cocksedge 2 con) Australia 17 (Cobie-Jane Morgan, Cheyenne Campbell, Victoria Latu tries; Fenella Hake con) HT: 34-5