2019 Black Ferns
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@Bovidae Yeah, typical game for a squad that has had many personnel changes and hasn't played for a while. Combos didn't always work well. I guess that's what you get if you don't have a proper competition before you play test matches (like the All Blacks have Super Rugby; or the Black Ferns the Farah Palmer Cup before an EOYT).
Don't think Cocksedge had a bad game; she just didn't stand out as usual. Great with the boot though. Only missed one kick at goal. Stand-outs for me were Blackwell and McMenamin in the forwards, and Alley and Leti-l'iga in the backs. Good cameo off the bench from Saili.
It was clear that the conditions had some impact on the game, although the strong wind seemed to affect the Canadians more than the Kiwis. Their line-outs were terrible. It looked really hot in San Diego.
Fortunately, the BFs will play the USA first, before taking on the two strongest opponents, France and England. Those two countries have the advantage of having played Premiership and Top 16 respectively, as well as the Six Nations.
It will be interesting to see how they are going to rotate players with the next game already on Wednesday morning (NZT).
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@Stargazer Not talking about goal kicking, which was good by both kickers, but Cocksedge's general kicking was poor (missed touch, aimless box kicks) and some of her options weren't great either.
England beat the USA 38-5 so I'm not confident vs them or France.
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Black Ferns squad to play the USA (Wednesday, 3 July - kickoff: 12.15pm (NZT) - live on Sky Sport 1)
1 Phillipa Love (8)
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (25)
3 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (30)
4 Eloise Blackwell (38)
5 Charmaine Smith (22)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (20)
7 Les Elder (Captain, 14)
8 Pia Tapsell (1)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (Vice captain, 48)
10 Ruahei Demant (6)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga (4)
12 Chelsea Alley (19)
13 Carla Hohepa (20)
14 Natahlia Moors (1)
15 Renee Wickliffe (36)Reserves
16 Forne Burkin*
17 Toka Natua (17)
18 Leilani Perese (6)
19 Joanah Ngan-Woo*
20 Kennedy Simon*
21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (1)
22 Kelly Brazier (37)
23 Theresa Fitzpatrick (9)(* indicates BF debut)
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34348/black-ferns-team-named-to-face-usa
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@Stargazer It was 3rd vs 4th in the rankings. They swapped after Canada's loss to NZ. I don't know the strength of the French team relative to the team that played in the 6N and beat NZ.
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@Bovidae Maybe the changes to the French team were already made before the 6 Nations. I just checked, and they finished only 3rd, well behind England (of course) and just behind Italy (their women's team does better than their men's).
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Half Time: Black Ferns 19 - 0 USA
USA had more opportunities to attack in the second quarter but handling errors prevented them from scoring. Their hooker can't throw a ball straight. Only one or two good line-outs out of 10+.
Ball handling from some BF players needs improvement, too.
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Full time: New Zealand 33 - 0 USA (5 tries to nil)
Good game from the BFs, completely dominating. Set piece was great. The USA did create some chances, but their hands let them down. I've never seen so many handling errors in one game! Their defence was better though.
The BFs fielded quite a few debutants and there are some really good players among them.
Of all the rookies, no. 8 Pia Tapsell and wing Ayesha Leti-I'iga impressed the most. I hope to see more of the new replacement halfback, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu. Only got 17 minutes, but looked promising.
As usual, Eloise Blackwell , Charmaine Smith and Charmaine McMenamin were among the best, and hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate was solid, too. Brazier awesome as soon as she came on.
It was quite funny to see how some of the American players just seemed to drop the ball when our big forwards came up in the rush defence. Like possums staring in headlights.
Some of our backs, particularly Hohepa, need to work on their passing.
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@Bovidae said in 2019 Black Ferns:
Temperature is only in the early 20s so I am surprised they are having quarter water breaks.
France are up next before the big game - England.
I understand those water breaks are in fact ad breaks. It's the USA ...
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@Stargazer said in 2019 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae said in 2019 Black Ferns:
Temperature is only in the early 20s so I am surprised they are having quarter water breaks.
France are up next before the big game - England.
I understand those water breaks are in fact ad breaks. It's the USA ...
FFS...
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Black Ferns team to play France (Sunday, 7 July 2019 - kick-off 9.15am - Live on Sky Sport 1):
1 Toka Natua (18)
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengemate (26)
3 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (31)
4 Eloise Blackwell (Vice captain, 39)
5 Charmaine Smith (23)
6 Pia Tapsell (2)
7 Marcelle Parkes (3)
8 Charmaine McMenamin (21)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (Captain, 49)
10 Ruahei Demant (7)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga (5)
12 Kelly Brazier (38)
13 Carla Hohepa (20)
14 Renee Wickliffe (37)
15 Selica Winiata (Vice captain, 37)Reserves:
16 Luka Connor (1)
17 Phillipa Love (9)
18 Leilani Perese (7)
19 Karli Faneva (1)
20 Kennedy Simon (1)
21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (2)
22 Chelsea Alley (20)
23 Alena Saili (3)Halfback Kendra Cocksedge will captain the Black Ferns for her 50th Test match in the black jersey when the team plays France in San Diego on Sunday morning (NZT).Moore said captain, Les Elder, was being rested with an injury and Wellington's Marcelle Parkes would start at 7. Pia Tapsell moves to blindside flanker and Charmaine McMenamin into Number 8.A milestone 12 years in the making, Taranaki-born Kendra Cocksedge, is regarded as one of the world's best halfbacks, and in 2018 she became the first female ever to win the Kelvin R Tremain New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year. Along with 50 Tests in the black jersey, Kendra also holds the Black Ferns record for highest number of points scored at 305. First selected for the national side in 2007 at age 19, Kendra has played in three World Cups and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2015. In Canterbury's red and black, Cocksedge has clocked up a record 800 points in total over 12 seasons in the Farah Palmer Cup. Off the field she is New Zealand Rugby's Women's Rugby Development Manager for the Crusaders region.Moore said Cocksedge played a huge role in the Black Ferns. "Kendra directs the team around the field and she's been the best number nine in the world for a number of years now. She is relentless and very competative and she trains as hard as she plays." He said Cocksedge was influential off the field as well, helping to set the culture of the Black Ferns. "It will be a very special moment on Saturday [local time] because she also gets to captain the team on her 50th outing." New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew has congratulated Cocksedge on her 50-Test achievement. "Kendra is an oustanding ambassador for our game and her pursuit of excellence is impressive. "I know Kendra well personally, and she embodies the spirit and culture of the Black Ferns both on and off the field. Her enthusiasm for her sport is infectious and her skill on the field is world-leading. She is among New Zealand's greatest players - as her New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year Award last year attests. "Kendra's legacy not ony inspires young players to want to be like her, it also motivates those around her." New Zealand Rugby will recognise Cocksedge's achievement next month during the double header match featuring the Black Ferns and All Blacks against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland. Cocksedge is the second most capped Black Ferns after former Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Faamausili who retired at 57 caps at the end of 2018.http://www.allblacks.com/News/34367/cocksedge-to-lead-black-ferns-against-france-in-50th-outing
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@Bovidae I would have watched the game and posted about it, if I hadn't been in hospital.
Those frenchies again aye? Now a bye, and then the most difficult game, against England. Although, the English women only managed to beat the Canadians by 2 points.
