Ferns’ inspirational skipper bags hat-trick

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

FORMER Gisborne Girls’ High School student Charmaine McMenamin was one of the standout players for the Black Ferns in their 31-11 win against the Wallaroos at Eden Park on Saturday night.

The blindside flanker carried strongly, tackled well and was never far from the action as New Zealand retained the Lourie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy.

The Ferns notched their 15th win in 15 games against their transtasman rivals. However, head coach Glenn Moore said there was plenty to work on for his side ahead of their rematch at Eden Park on Saturday.

“Overall we were a bit rusty — we didn’t execute some of the things we set out to, especially in the early parts of the game,” he said.

The Black Ferns had moments of hesitancy on attack, but were bailed out by a dominant driving maul from lineout time which resulted in several tries, including a hat-trick to incomparable skipper Fiao’o Faamausili.

The Wallaroos showed fight, especially in the second half, and stretched the Black Ferns at times with their offloading game. It’s those brief patches which leads Moore to push for a cleaner defensive performance.

“Our focus will be on getting our defensive structure in better shape, but I think it’s going to be putting polish on what we’re already doing really, we’ll be far better for that outing.”

The Black Ferns should have a near full-strength side for the return leg, with a cut to the leg of starting prop Aldora Itunu the only major injury concern.

Moore said the team are looking forward to gracing the pitch again on Saturday.

“It’s a privilege for the players to get home games in front of their family and friends” — NZ Herald.

Wallaroos 11 (Alisha Hewett try; Emily Robinson 2 pens).

Black Ferns 31 (Fiao’o Faamausili 3, Kendra Cocksedge, Aldora Itunu tries, Cocksedge 3 cons). HT: 19-3 (Black Ferns).