2018 Black Ferns

Stargazer

Black Ferns squad to play France in Grenoble:

1 Phillipa Love (6)
2 Fiao'o Faamausili (56, captain)
3 Aldora Itunu (19)
4 Eloise Blackwell (36)
5 Charmaine Smith (20)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (18)
7 Les Elder (13)
8 Aroha Savage (32)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (46, vice captain)
10 Krysten Cottrell (4)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga (2)
12 Ruahei Demant (4)
13 Stacey Waaka (15)
14 Renee Wickliffe (34)
15 Selica Winiata (35, vice captain)

16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (24)
17 Leilani Perese (4)
18 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (28)
19 Jackie Patea-Fereti (16)
20 Linda Itunu (39)
21 Kristina Sue (14)
22 Monica Tagaoi (2)
23 Natahlia Moors*

*debut

The introduction of Moors as a reserve wing is an opportunity to provide extra fire power in the back line for a match that’s expected to bring plenty of excitement.  

Moore said he was proud of the way the Black Ferns had risen to the challenge of their first encounter against France in Toulon last week.  

“We expected the French to come out firing and they did just that. This weekend we're expecting that level of intensity to ramp up a notch. 

“The players have recovered well since Friday and we’ve been upping the intensity all week in preparation. Having an extra day up our sleeves has given us more time to further refine our game plans and manage a couple of minor injuries.”

Saturday’s line-up sees a more traditional five forwards and three backs named for the bench, a shift from the six forwards and two backs named last week.

Moore said after analysis of last week's match and consideration of anticipated drier conditions, changing the make up of the reserves was the correct approach.

A large crowd was expected for the afternoon match on Saturday, an opportunity the team would relish, according to their coach.

Sunday, 18 November 2018, kick-off 2.30am NZT. Live on Sky Sport 2.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/33440/black-ferns-team-named-for-second-test-against-france

Bovidae

Was Chelsea Alley injured in the USA game? I do remember seeing her getting treatment on the field.

Stargazer

Entertaining first half. There's not much between both teams, except that dominant French scrum.

IMO the third French try should have been disallowed as the French left wing clearly blocked Winiata, preventing her from tackling the try scorer.

The French public is annoying as ever, booing every excellent tackle from the Ferns, as if it was foul play (which it wasn't).

Hope the Ferns can fix that scrum like last week.

Blackwell and Waaka the best players for NZ.

Half time: France 19 - 14 New Zealand

Stargazer

Correct decision, clearly no try for France. No grounding (no control).

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Now a really good try for the French.

The Ferns look flustered.

France now leads 24 - 14.

Stargazer

Try Winiata!

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24 - 21 France after the conversion.

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Penalty goal Cocksedge (who hasn't missed a kick thus far).

It's 24 all.

Stargazer

Demant sent to the bin. I have no idea what for.

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Penalty goal France.
27 - 24 to France with 20 minutes to go.

Stargazer

Oh shit.

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Geez, that's not even worth a penalty.

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Good refereeing. Nothing in it. Play continues.

With a shitty French ref, it might have been a second yellow for our no. 11.

Stargazer

I don't know what the capacity of this stadium is, but it's a big crowd.

Stargazer

Penalty goal France.

France now leads 30 to 24 with 10 minutes to go.

Demant back on.

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Penalty goal Cocksedge.

30 - 27 to France with less than 7 minutes to go.

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Linda Itunu subbed off. This was her last test match!

Great player; the Ferns will miss her.

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Bloody Geezus, that French scrum is still so dominant.

It's not that the Ferns' scrum has deteriorated; the French have become better at it. That's also why they won the Six Nations.

Stargazer

Time's up. NZ line-out.

Stargazer

It's over. The French women beat the Black Ferns for the first time ever. A deserved win, too.

France 30 - 27 New Zealand.

Bugger.

The Silver Fern

2018 Black Ferns