Second-half Black Ferns blitz seals Pacific Fours Series crown

Gisborne’s Kelsey Teneti has Black Ferns support in numbers as she powers upfield against the United States in a Pacific Four Series game in Ottawa on Saturday. Teneti played a full game on the wing as New Zealand fought from 17-5 down at halftime to overwhelm the Eagles 39-17. Picture by Jana Chytilova/www.photosport.nz

A 14-woman Black Ferns had to come from behind to beat the United States 39-17 and win the Pacific Four Series in Canada on Saturday.

Kelsey Teneti started on the right wing and played the full 80 minutes while fellow Gizzy local  Renee Holmes came off the bench in the second half.

The Black Ferns were on the backfoot from the third minute when halfback Iritana Hohaia was red-carded after making head-to-head contact in a front-on tackle of USA flanker Georgie Perris-Redding, who herself was yellow-carded for a high shot four minutes later.

The US, belying their underdog status, surged to a 17-5 halftime lead as the Black Ferns struggled for cohesion and made numerous errors — of their own making and from opposition pressure.

Black Ferns head coach Allan Bunting sent on reinforcements in the way of Holmes and first five Ruahei Demant and they were pivotal in turning the tide in the second half.

With Holmes slotting seamlessly into fullback, Teneti, clearly hungry for the ball, enjoyed more clean possession and space to move.

Despite the Ferns being reduced to 13 when No.8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u was sinbinned for repeated infringements by New Zealand, they began to assert dominance.

Teneti and Holmes were involved in combination in one of their five second-half tries — Holmes countering from a kick, sending the ball wide to Teneti who broke through, drew the last defender and offloaded for halfback Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu to run the last 10 metres to score.

The Black Ferns outscored the Americans 34-0 in the second half to claim the series following wins over Australia and Canada, who thumped Australia 45-7 to secure second.

Holmes kicked three conversions and a penalty.

The Black Ferns’ next game is the second test of the Laurie O’Reilly Cup against Australia. They then take part in the inaugural World Rugby XV three-tier competition.

New Zealand are in the top tier featuring the top three teams from the Pacific Four Series and top three from the Women’s Six Nations.

Tier 1 is being held in  New Zealand on October 21, 28 and November 4.