2023 WXV (new global women's competition)
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Black Ferns 17-18 France
Mistake riddled mess from the Black Ferns v France. They dominated possession but couldn’t handle the blistering line speed of the French defence. Some great tries scored by the French though and Ruby Tui’s grubber to set up Vahaakolo in the second half was the highlight for the BF. Reduced to 14 after a very dumb head v head by Viliko - a newbie. However, BF managed to dominate the final 20mins when down a woman - including memorably destroying the full French scrum with only seven women.
Overall, I enjoyed the match despite the loss. It was a proper slugging match with a team full of newbies up against one of the best two teams in the world. The BF could’ve won that match if they’d been more accurate in taking their chances. Demant, Brunt & Du Plessis were well contained by the French and never really got any room.
Ruby Tui with very limited ball was the biggest attacking threat to the French and I’m bloody happy she’s playing 15s for us. The others looked flustered in the backline for most of the match.
The forwards (full of recent newbies) can take great heart from that effort. They dominated their French opposites for large parts of the match. Who would’ve said that a few years ago? The team needs to just make better use of possession. A lot of wasted ball.
By the way, it was a poor crowd in Wellington. Hopefully more people turn up in Dunedin.
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Results 20-22 October 2023:
XV1 (New Zealand)
England 42 - 7 Australia
Canada 42 -22 Wales
New Zealand 17 - 18 FranceXV2 (South Africa)
USA 14 - 24 Scotland
Italy 36 - 18 South Africa
Japan 32 - 10 SamoaXV3 (Dubai)
Kazakhstan 18 - 12 Kenya
Spain 26 - 19 Fiji
Ireland 64 - 3 Colombia -
XV1 (New Zealand)
Fri 27 October 2023 (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)
7.00pm: England v Canada- Sky Sport 1Sat 28 October 2023 (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)
4.00pm: New Zealand v Wales - Sky Sport 2
7.00pm: France v Australia - Sky Sport 2
XV2 (South Africa)Sat 28 October 2023 (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town)
1.00am: Scotland v Japan - Sky Sport 2
3.30am: South Africa v Samoa - Sky Sport 2Sun 29 October 2023 (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town)
4.00am: USA v Italy - Sky Sport 1
XV3 (Dubai)Sat 28 October 2023 (The Sevens 2, Dubai)
2.00am: Kazakhstan v Fiji
4.30am: Kenya v ColombiaSun 29 October 2023 (The Sevens 2, Dubai)
2.00am: Ireland v Spain -
This Black Ferns Vs England game is a pretty good watch.
England remain on top but the Black Ferns building back.
Definitely hope for the future there