Black Ferns ease through, despite 'stutter'
SUNDAY WRAP: Ten tries, including a record-setter for the incomparable Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and more than 60 points suggest this was a straightforward affair for New Zealand.
However, at times Japan had the Black Ferns truly rattled in a 62-19 win for the Black Ferns.
Much to the sellout crowd’s delight, it was Japan who struck first, stunning the six-time champions with a faultless opening. First the forwards won a penalty, then a great box kick was followed by a solid line-out, a swift maul and a superb finish from winger Sakurako Hatada.
The Sakura Fifteen started the second half in a similar style, their rolling maul – which caused New Zealand trouble all day – propelling them to another score. That set the tone for a second half, which will cause the Black Ferns coaching staff some concern. Japan grabbing 53 per cent territory during 40 minutes, in which they endlessly varied their point of attack and sloppy errors crept in to New Zealand’s play.
There were, of course, bright spots for the two-time reigning champions, and when you need a spark, it is useful to have your nation’s greatest ever try scorer on hand. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe had plenty left to do when she got the ball just inside Japan’s 10-metre line, with her side trailing 5-0 after 12 minutes. But a feint, a hand-off, two defenders beaten and the 34-year-old had it – a 50th test try, more than any other New Zealand rugby player ever.
That seemed to spur the youngsters on, 18-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee and 21-year-old Jorja Miller taking over. The pair showed their famed teammate that they too know how to finish, with full-back Sorensen-McGee scoring three and the sevens Women’s Player of the Year Miller bagging a double.
Plenty to work on for the Black Ferns, however, ahead of a final pool match v Ireland.
Player of the Match
A hat-trick of tries barely told the full story for New Zealand’s Braxton Sorensen-McGee. The teenage full-back was everywhere, as her 171m made attests to. The fact she added four conversions too, seems just a bonus.
“It’s pretty unreral. I am crying because I saw my auntie,” the Mastercard Player of the Match said at full-time.
“I’ve got to give it to my girls. They set me up for most of my tries. It’s just confidence in myself. The girls do really well to back me and make sure I have confidence.”
Coach insight
New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting is pleased enough with his side’s progress to date.
“Our ladies got some good game time out there. Everyone has had some game time now. We have a lot to build off. Our discipline really cost us. We got to test ourselves. I was happy looking at young Brax [Braxton Sorensen-McGee] out there, shining like a little star that she is,” he said.
“The mindset of our ladies has been outstanding but we have plenty more to build off that.”
For Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie, there’s plenty of pride and even more optimism about next week.
“I’m so pleased for them, honestly. This was a great challenge for us. We spoke about it this week, we spoke about it through the summer, prepping for this. To play a world champion in your pool is a really good test. We talked about being worthy of that test,” McKenzie said.
“A few moments of chaos, a few chunks of chaos there where we probably let them get some points that we will regret a little bit. But overall, some massively positive passages of play, some smart use of territory and I guess at the back end of it, great character, great intent, when we brought our shoulders to the collision.
“Next week we want to show the best of Japan.”
* The other significant result saw France cruise past Brazil, 84-5, to set up a Pool D decider against South Africa next week.
Brazil may have claimed the moment of the match with a first-ever try, but France took the spoils, a powerful, accurate display sending them to the quarterfinals.
France, with 11 fresh faces in their starting line-up, sent a warning to their rivals with a compelling and ruthless display against a willing if limited Brazil, who got what they wanted with an emotional score.
Despite the result, France were left rueing their looseness in their opening Pool D win over Italy – not a charge that could be levelled at them in Exeter on Sunday afternoon. Nine first half tries were indicative of a clinical Les Bleus, who came roaring out the traps and barely let up.
Two returning players were central to such ruthlessness. Iconic scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus took most of the pre-match attention but she will no doubt be happy to have shared the headlines with teammate Emilie Boulard. It was the all-action full-back who opened the scoring, showing a neat step.
Then Bourdon Sansus got to work, scoring a stunning third and setting up the fourth with a deft kick through for rapid winger Kelly Arbey to pick up. The diminutive No.9 – one of the nominations for the 2024 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year – was also central to arguably the try of the match. Gathering a pass deep in her own half, Bourdon Sansus outstripped the cover and released Boulard who pinned her ears back before slipping a delightful inside ball to skipper Marine Menager.
For Brazil, and their passionate fans there was a moment that they will never forget. After exciting the crowd throughout with their grit and ambition to play, the ball found its way across to Bianca Silva in the 64-minute. Not much looked on but the replacement back had other ideas. An outrageous dummy sent her though the stunned French line and then she raced 40m-plus to the line and a place in history.
But even that outpouring of joy could not halt the French, who added five more tries in the second half to give the coach plenty of happy selection headaches moving forwards.
Player of the Match
It looked like Pauline Bourdon Sansus had never been away, as the scrum-half brought tempo and direction to a focused France. Several assists and a fine try made her the clear choice for Mastercard Player of the Match.
“I didn’t feel any pressure, I just wanted to come back and show what I could do. I was suspended for two matches so it’s really great to come back. I have fire in my legs and I just wanted to show everything I had,” Bourdon Sansus said.
“I gave birth about a month and a half ago and baby Arthur gave me enormous strength, and I’m very happy to be back with the team.
“We have the team for this. the energy. We just have to focus and everything will be great.”
Coach insight
France coach Gaelle Mignot is keen to keep her player’s feet on the ground, despite the impressive display.
“This match was an opportunity to set our pace, put our game our and gain strength over it – and I think we’ve done that. The girls are happy and it’s just a step forward for the next stage,” Mignot said.
“The next match is key (v South Africa), we know it’s going to be hard, we’ll be concentrated 100 per cent because we want to finish top of our group. It’s going to be interesting but we hope everything goes as planned.”
Brazil head coach Emiliano Caffera is focused on the future.
“The first half was really shocking for our players. In the second half we started to do some things. We scored a try. I am very proud of the girls,” he said before turning to the moment that delighted a nation.
“I hope it (Silva’s try) is going to be a point of growth for rugby in Brazil, because all of our players are from sevens and 15s is growing a lot in Brazil. “We came here to play three tough games. Hopefully, we will score another try and keep more of the ball.”
Next steps
France head to a top-of-the-table clash v South Africa on Sunday, 7 September. The result of that match will determine who heads into the quarter-finals as the top seed in Pool D.
For Brazil, it will be all about keeping the positive vibes, as they attempt to inspire more and more young girls and boys in South America to give rugby a go – and perhaps score another try against Italy.
* Earlier, it took all of their resolve, but eventually, world No. 5-ranked Ireland put Spain to the sword to put themselves in a prime position in Pool C.
Five-try Spain refused to go quietly in front of a raucous crowd, but Ireland came through what was a severe test ahead of their final Pool C match against New Zealand next Sunday.
The first half was utterly compelling. Roared on by a largely green crowd, it was all Ireland for the first 20. Two tries and a 12-0 lead a just reward for a powerful-looking pack and sharp backs.
But then it all changed. Making good on their pre-match promise to “fight for every inch” Spain forced themselves into the contest, largely through their own set of effervescent forwards. Level inside the half-hour, Las Leonas were flying, as the error-prone Ireland rocked.
With Irish captain Sam Monaghan forced off with injury, all the momentum seemed to be with Spain. But Ireland have not risen to No.5 in the world rankings for nothing and with half-time approaching they shifted back to what they do best. Twice inside four minutes, their front five pulverised Spain’s line before the shifted wide at speed for first Eve Higgins and then Anna MCGann to touch down. The 12-point advantage restored.
Much to the delight of the neutrals watching, the see-saw action continued after the break. Spain refusing to lie down, took full advantage of another Irish error off the restart to pull within seven. A further two tries – including a touchdown for Cristina Blanco Herrera on the final whistle – securing a well-deserved losing bonus point.
But as they did all afternoon, Ireland responded powerfully each time Spain came at them. The influential number eight Grace Moore twice galloping through to give the Irish the breathing space they needed, before Enya Breen finished things of for the women in green.
Player of the Match
Without Ireland’s rock-solid pack, this match could have swung Las Leonas’ way, and loose-head prop Ellena Perry was absolutely central to everything the women in green did well. Six carries, two turnovers, 20 tackles and 100 per cent scrum success – not bad.
“We just needed to get front-foot ball and keep possession. It was difficult but we got the win,” Perry, Player of the Match said.
“They really tested us today. We know they were going to come out firing and they pushed us right to the end. Well played to them.
“Obviously two bonus-point wins which we can’t fault but we’ve got a lot of learnings this week and a big game [against New Zealand] in Brighton next week.”
Coach insight
For Ireland head coach, Scott Bemand, there was a lot to like and a lot to improve on.
“The seven tries aren’t to be sniffed at, there’s some good tries, good variety. You look at how we came out of the blocks against spirited Spanish team – in defence and attack – and we thought we were getting on top. Then we became our own worst enemies a little bit,” Bemand said.
“As we go through the competition, games are going to become increasingly difficult so we’ve got to start backing sets up. We scored some really good tries; what we’ve got to do is get out of your half and reset. It turned into a bit of a flip-flop game.
“We’re two games in. If we go to London, there’s four more games in this competition.”
Spain head coach Juan González had predictably mixed feelings.
“We got a lot of opportunities to score. We scored some but in the first half especially we missed two exits and Ireland scored twice. At the beginning of the second half the same thing happened. I feel proud that the girls kept fighting to the last minute of the game,” González said.
“We came here to show the world how we play rugby and to make an big impact with Spanish girls at home. If we can do this with a victory against Japan that will be absolutely great.”
Next steps
If New Zealand beat Japan in their second Pool C match, Ireland will be through to the quarter-finals ahead of their match-up next weekend against the defending champions – turning that match into a shootout for top spot.
Spain cannot reach the knockouts but Las Leonas will be eying up a final match v Japan as a real opportunity to secure a longed-for RWC victory.
All the Sunday scores and scorers below ….
Ireland 43-27 Spain
The scorers
For Ireland
Tries: O’Brien, Murphy Crowe, Higgins, McGann 2, Moore 2
Cons: O’Brien 3, Breen
For Spain
Tries: Perez, De las Huertas Roman, Pena, Alameda, Blanco
Con: Argudo
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Anna McGann, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Eve Higgins, 11 Amee-Leigh Costigan, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Molly Scuffil-McCabe, 8 Grace Moore, 7 Claire Boles, 6 Fiona Tuite, 5 Sam Monaghan, 4 Eimear Corri-Fallon, 3 Linda Djougang, 2 Cliodhna Moloney Macdonald, 1 Ellena Perry.
Replacements: 16 Neve Jones, 17 Siobhan McCarthy, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Ruth Campbell, 20 Brittany Hogan, 21 Emily Lane, 22 Enya Breen, 23 Nancy McGillivray
Spain: 15 Amalia Argudo, 14 Claudia Perez Perez, 13 Claudia Pena Hidalgo, 12 Claudia Cano, 11 Clara Piquero, 10 Zahia Perez, 9 Anne Fernandez de Corres, 8 Valentina Lucia Perez Marquez, 7 Ana Peralta Baquet, 6 Lia Pineiro, 5 Elena Martinez, 4 Lourdes Alameda, 3 Eider Garcia Fuentes, 2 Marieta Roman Mallen, 1 Gemma Silva Sierra
Replacements: 16 Cristina Blanco Herrera, 17 Laura Delgado, 18 Mireia De Andres, 19 Anna Puig, 20 Monica Castelo, 21 Nerea Garcia Rementeria, 22 Ariadna Bingbing Vergara Piqueras, 23 Lea Ducher
Referee: Kat Roche (United States)
Assistant referees: Clara Munarini (Italy) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
New Zealand 62-19 Japan
The scorers
For New Zealand
Tries: Woodman, Miller 2, Vaha’akolo, Sorensen-McGee 2, Tukuafu, Pouri-Lane
Cons: Sorensen-McGee 4
For Japan
Tries: Hatada, Moe, penalty try
Cons: Otsuka, a penalty try does not require a conversion
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo, 10 Ruahei Demant, 9 Risi Pouri-Lane, 8 Layla Sae, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu, 6 Jorja Miller, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Tanya Kalounivale 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Kate Henwood, 18 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 21 Maia Joseph, 22 Renee Holmes, 23 Theresa Setefano
Japan: 15 Sora Nishimura, 14 Sakurako Hatada, 13 Mana Furuta, 12 Haruka Hirotsu, 11 Komachi Imakugi, 10 Ayasa Otsuka, 9 Moe Tsukui, 8 Seina Saito, 7 Iroha Nagata, 6 Masami Kawamura, 5 Otoka Yoshimura, 4 Yuna Sato, 3 Wako Kitano, 2 Asuka Kuge, 1 Sachiko Kato.
Replacements: 16 Kotomi Taniguchi, 17 Manami Mine, 18 Nijiho Nagata, 19 Ayano Sakurai, 20 Jennifer Nduka, 21 Megumi Abe, 22 Minori Yamaoto, 23 Kanako Kobayashi
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) & Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
France 84-5 Brazil
The scorers
For France
Tries: Boulard 2, Morland, Bourdon, Arbey 2, Deshayes, Menager 2, Queyroi, Okemba 2, Konde, Tuy
Cons: Queyroi 7
For Brazil
Try: Silva
Teams:
France: 15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Marine Manager (captain), 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Kelly Arbey, 10 Lina Queyroi, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 8 Marie Morland, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Seraphine Okemba, 5 Hina Ikahehegi, 4 Taina Maka, 3 Rose Bernadou, 2 Agathe Gerin, 1 Annaelle Deshaye
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Mkarita Beleinadogo, Yllana Brosseau, 20 Axelle Berthoumieu, 21 Alexandra Chambon. 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Carla Neisen.
Brazil: 15 Fernanda Tenorio, 14 Isadora Lopes, 13 Edna Santini, 12 Marina Fioravanti, 11 Yasmim Luiza de Lima Soares, 10 Maria Gabriela Graf, 9 Luiza Gonzalez da Costa Campos, 8 Iris Coluna, 7 Larissa Alves Carvalho, 6 Leticia Medeiros, 5 Leticia Silva Ferreira, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra, 3 Tais Gomes da Costa Prioste, 2 Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, 1 Samara Vergara.
Replacements: 16 Natalia Jonck, 17 Franciele Barros, 18 Pamela dos Santos Soares, 19 Ana Carolina Santana, 20 Camilla Carvalho, 21 Leila Dos Santos Silva, 22 Carolyne Pereira, 23 Bianca Silva
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Holly Wood (England) & Amelia Luciano (America)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)
