2017 Black Ferns (including World Cup)

[Stargazer]

I know you can't compare, but I find it quite funny that the Black Ferns TH prop scores three tries in one game and that Owen Franks after all those tests, hasn't scored a single try.

[Stargazer]

Full time: Black Ferns 48 - 5 Canada

Fantastic result. With their points differential (+196), the Black Ferns should finish first. Now, wait and see who finishes 4th.

[Crucial]

England making easy work of USA but not enough to get top slot on points diff.

[Crucial]

Just France/Ireland to decide final standings now. Ireland need to win to get a place, they can't beat USA as a loser.
If France win they need a BP win by more than 9 pts to overtake England but it won't matter as they will need to trounce Ireland by 90 if they don't want to be in the 2v3 semi.

Pretty much locked in that it will be NZ v USA and Eng v FR (or FR v Eng) on Sunday

[mimic]

it's possible for Ireland and France to both qualify, if my tie-breaking assumptions are correct.

1. If Ireland win, and France gain a losing bonus point, Ireland will qualify, and France should qualify as the 4th team, as they're ahead of USA on points differential.
2. If Ireland win by 8+, then Ireland will qualify, and USA should qualify as the 4th team, with France dropping out.
3. If France win, then France will qualify, and USA should qualify as the 4th team, with Ireland dropping out.

I heard the Irish had a close win against the French earlier this year, so I wouldn't lock in the Americans yet. In saying that, I don't know if both teams were (are) at full strength for their matches.

[Kruse]

Japan is certainly conscious of head-injuries - I think every player bar one is wearing headgear?

[Stargazer]

Black Ferns highlights:

[Nepia]

Stumbled upon the Black Ferns game last night by accident - impressed by the skill level in the match. They were relentless. Will try and seek out their other games now.

[Stargazer]

Results of the last round of pool games:
Canada 5 - 48 Black Ferns
England 47 - 26 USA
Italy 8 - 22 Spain
Australia 29 - 15 Japan
Wales 39 - 15 Hong Kong
France 21 - 5 Ireland

Semi-finals (Tue 22 - Wed 23 August NZT):
11.00pm, Sky Sport 3: 9th place SF: Italy v Japan
01.00am, Sky Sport 2: 5th place SF: Ireland v Australia
01.30am, Sky Sport 1: 9th place SF: Spain v Hong Kong
04.00am, Sky Sport 2: 5th place SF: Canada v Wales
04.00am, Sky Sport 1: Semi-Final: New Zealand v USA
06.45am, Sky Sport 1: Semi-Final: England v France

It must be said, Sky are doing an outstanding job of covering the Women's RWC. Hope they'll continue doing that with the Women's Sevens Series.

[Stargazer]

Black Ferns team to play the USA in the semi-final (number of caps in brackets):

1 Toka Natua (14)
2 Fiao'o Faamausili - captain (50)
3 Aldora Itunu (13)
4 Eloise Blackwell (30)
5 Charmaine Smith (14)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (12)
7 Sarah Goss (8)
8 Aroha Savage (26)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (40)
10 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali (17)
11 Renee Wickliffe (28)
12 Kelly Brazier (35)
13 Stacey Waaka (9)
14 Portia Woodman (14)
15 Selica Winiata (29)

16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (18)
17 Sosoli Talawadua (6)
18 Aleisha Nelson (24)
19 Rebecca Wood (5)
20 Lesley Ketu (7)
21 Linda Itunu (34)
22 Theresa Fitzpatrick (5)
23 Carla Hohepha (23)

Wednesday, 23 August - kickoff at 4.00am (NZT)

New Zealand: live on Sky Sport 1 (replays: 5.20am, Prim / 4.00pm, Rugby Ch / 4.30pm, Sky Sport 1 etc)
Australia: live on Fox Sports Channel 505 (all games are live either on Ch 503 or 505); replay 9.00am, FoxSp Ch 501 / 7.00pm, FoxSp Ch 503.
UK: live on ITV4 (both SFs only?)
Ireland: live on ITV4 and eir Sport 1
USA: live (12.00pm ET) on NBC Sports

http://www.allblacks.com/News/31259/black-ferns-team-named-for-semifinal

[Stargazer]

Quite interesting that they haven't named a reserve halfback and have gone for 6 forwards on the bench. Cocksedge will have to go the full eighty minutes, with Brazier probably providing cover for both 9 and 10.

[Bovidae]

Are the USA strong up front? I assume that this is a test for what will happen if NZ meets England in the final as the Black Ferns' forwards were dominated in Rotorua.

I would think that Winiata would be the backup halfback.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae I've seen Brazier taking over the halfback role several times, including when Cocksedge was in the bin in one of the pool games. Never seen Winiata in that role, so that's why I expect Brazier will cover halfback, but I could be wrong.

[Crucial]

Wow! No posts?

Comfortable 7 tries to 2 win over the Seppos. 4 tries to Woodman.

Wasn't easy for them and they had to battle for about a 50 minute period.

Not sure if it was a tactical thing but USA turned us over a lot at the breakdown. Need to send in a little more support on the tackle

[JK]

Very comfortable and easily over the 23.5 points start. Easy $

[Crucial]

Arm wrestle between the Frogs and Poms at the moment 3-0 to England after 25

[Siam]

That Woodman try off the scrum that broke things open was as good as you get in terms of balance fending and speed.
Brilliant stuff

[Bovidae]

Too early in the morning to watch live NZT.

I've just watched the game now. A really enjoyable match and some fantastic skills on display.

Looking ahead to the final, the Black Ferns better also be working on:
(1) Tackling technique, they can't afford to lose players to the sinbin for high tackles (again) in the final.
(2) Defending drives/mauls - England dominated NZ in this area earlier in the year.
(3) Getting to ball to Portia.

[booboo]

Saw about 10 mins just after half time of Eng v France (lunch time today) and last 10 mins or so of BFs v Usa.

Didn't see enough to make definitive comment on who will be favourite.

I did notice something the Poms were doing that raised the levels on my whingeometer: when going to ground in the tackle rather than placing the ball immediately they rolled over, preventing the defending player playing at the ball, before placing it. Happened more than once. Wondered if it wad a deliberate dirty stinking typically Pom cheating tactic.

[Kruse]

It seems like it's going to be awesome attack vs excellent defence.
Getting it out wide letting the back 3 loose vs keeping it in close and plenty of drives/mauls.
And high tackles+neck-rolls/etc vs sneaky ruck tactics.
All in all - all the old(?) stereotypes about NZ vs Eng rugby - writ large.