2017 Black Ferns (including World Cup)

[SammyC]

@Stargazer said in 2017 Black Ferns (including World Cup):

Hail in Chch! Awful weather.

Haha, a real weather bomb. The match would have kicked off in sunshine and warm weather, now its bordering on freezing and hailing.

Not looking forward to the bike home from work

[Stargazer]

@SammyC It seems to be getting worse, too. That won't be a pleasant ride home for you. I remember biking in European winter weather; needed a long hot shower to feel human again afterwards. There may have been hot wine, too. Lots of it, probably.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players (from the Northern parts of the N Island and the Aussies) have never played in these conditions or have even experienced hail before.

[Stargazer]

Woodman goes in for her second.

39-5 NZ

[Stargazer]

Try Aussies (Cheyenne Campbell); the result of a sloppy pass from Subritzky-Nafatali that was intercepted, some hasty defence in which the BFs gave away too many penalties. Converted.

39-12 NZ.

And more penalties. BFs must watch out or they'll lose a player to the bin.

[Stargazer]

And there you go, prop Natua to the bin for not rolling away.

[Stargazer]

Apparently, 9 players in the Aussie starting line-up have 3 caps or less. That explains a lot.

[Stargazer]

The Aussie no. 8, Latu, is easily their best player. Despite her 106kg, still quite fast. Doesn't seem to get tired, either.

[Stargazer]

BF replacement lock Ketu has to be carried of the field with what looks like a knee injury.

NZ back to 15 players; Aussies haven't benefited from having a player more.

[Stargazer]

Latu scores for the Aussies after a quick tap from again another penalty. It's clear the BFs have to work on their discipline.

39-17 NZ with 5 minutes to go.

[Stargazer]

NZ gets the final say as Charmaine Smith goes over. Brazier can't convert.

Full time: New Zealand 44-17 Australia

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

Did I hear that correctly? 80 test caps (NZ) v approx 815 test caps (Eng)?
England play 6 Nations each year, so no surprise they've more caps, but this is a big difference!
The English players are also full-time professionals.

[Stargazer]

Awesome try Cocksedge! Real pocket rocket. 7 all.

[Stargazer]

Intercept try Woodman!

[Stargazer]

This will be Honey Hireme's last game on home soil. She will retire from (international) rugby after the World Cup. Not sure whether she'll hang up the boots completely.
I wouldn't be surprised if more players will retire; Kendra Cocksedge wasn't sure whether she'll continue either. The captain is 35, so whether she'll continue? Some players might choose for their professional careers, or stop for family reasons (like Hireme). Plenty of upcoming, young talent, fortunately.

[Stargazer]

14 all at half time.

Shit weather in Rotovegas, by the way.

[Crash]

Am watching as a pre-cursor to the Maori v Lions. England look bloody well coached and their basic drills and skill-set are very good. They maintain possession for long periods. Black Ferns down 14-19, we just need to hold onto the ball when we get it and be more clinical.

[Stargazer]

England have improved a lot. That's what going pro has done for them. Unfortunately, that means there is no level playing field anymore. I wonder whether other countries will follow their example. I think NZR should seriously consider it, at least for the year leading up to a World Cup.

[Crash]

Yep it doesn't look as if we've been tested thus far. I' d rather a loss now and take some learning from it, than going into the WC in August thinking we are invincible - and then lose. The gulf in class is quite stark. We are just living off scraps and a couple of x-factor players. Weather playing a part too

[Stargazer]

The Ferns cannot defend against a driving maul. The English are too big and too strong. Big work on.

England lead 24-14.