England edge New Zealand to end Hansen's unbeaten run
WRAP: A year on from England’s World Cup win at the Allianz Stadium, Zoe Harrison scored an 80th-minute interception try in front of nearly 60,000 fans to extend England’s unbeaten run to 41 matches and end New Zealand coach Whitney Hansen’s winning start in dramatic fashion.
Despite scoring first, England were forced into a heavy-duty first-half defensive shift as New Zealand dominated territory and possession in an engrossing first-half.
By the time Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored her fourth try in three matches, courtesy of a perfectly delayed pass from Ellie Kildunne in the 13th minute, the Black Ferns had already crossed the hosts’ tryline. But Ayesha Leti-I’iga’s effort was ruled out as she did not release the ball in the tackle before bounding back to her feet.
That was the beginning and end of England’s attacking effort in the opening period, as New Zealand launched wave after wave of attack.
It’s a mark of the Red Roses’ Maddie Feaunati-led defensive effort in the first half that it took New Zealand until the 25th minute to get their side of the scoreboard moving – Amy du Plessis easily winning a footrace to her own kick ahead from halfway.
And Leti-I’iga was on hand to finish Hannah King’s break just after the half-hour. But they will be disappointed not to be further ahead, as they repeatedly pushed for one more score before the break, only to crash on England’s defensive wall.
Ellie Kildunne smuggled a messy ball from an under-pressure Jess Breach out wide to give England the perfect start to the second period.
Suddenly the Red Roses had ripped control of the game. Ten minutes later, with Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Marlie Packer, Jess Breach was on hand to finish a training ground move off a dominant scrum.
But New Zealand were far from done. Mererangi Paul darted in from out wide following a period of Black Fern pressure. And Braxton Sorensen-McGee nailed the conversion to level the scores with 10 minutes to play.
Zoe Harrison had a chance to win the match with a last-minute penalty. Her kick fell short, but she was on hand moments later to pick a loose New Zealand pass out of the air and raced clear to score.
Wales 24-26 USA
Rugby fans were treated to an exciting contest as Wales and the USA were locked in a tight battle for 80 minutes.
Freda Tafuna, who had already been pivotal for the USA in their remarkable win over Ireland, was everywhere in the opening 20 minutes. The No.8 successfully clinched two turnovers, one just metres from her side’s try line, and took the opportunity to overpower the Welsh pack at every turn.
The back-rower also scored the first two tries, using her physicality to break the hosts’ defensive line, with Bella Vogel claiming the four extra points from the tee.
Wales finally found their pace not long after, and managed to get their first try from a superb play that put Keira Bevan over the line. Freya Bell added the conversion.
The visitors found another break and scored following a great run by Eric Coulibaly, but Wales immediately hit back, striking twice with two massive carries from Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu. With the USA looking nervous, Wales ramped up their efforts and took the lead for the first time after a smart kick from Keira Bevan. The Welsh turned over the ball and patiently built through eight phases before Alex Callender powered over the line to send the home side to the break, leading 24-21.
The Women Eagles applied heavy pressure from the restart but couldn’t upend the opposition defence, losing control of the pill for a handful of times. However, a fumble from a Welsh offload gave the USA the lead back, as Freda Tafuna once again brushed the defence aside before grounding the ball to complete her first hat-trick. The Americans were now in the driver’s seat, controlling possession for most of the second half, while Wales defended relentlessly and tried to find a way to get a crack at the ball.
Despite the impressive defensive effort, the hosts’ attack misfired and spoiled a couple of critical opportunities, with the Eagles closing ranks, which ultimately was enough to take the win. After an impressive victory over Ireland, the USA have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since 2017, with Freda Tafuna’s astonishing performance key to their Cardiff win.
More to follow…
Scotland v Australia
France v Canada
