Eketahuna fuel 57-0 win

The Eketahuna influence was readily apparent as Wellington Pride crushed Otago 57-0 in the opening round of matches in the NPC women's rugby competition last Saturday.
Seven members of the Eketahuna side, which won both the major trophies up for grabs in Wellington competition play in 2011, are part of the Wellington line-up and three of them featured on the scoring sheet at Dunedin's University Oval.
Midfielder Shakira Baker scored two tries and flanker Shaan Waru one while skipper Rebecca Mahoney, playing in her normal role at first-five, landed six conversions.
Baker and Mahoney are both in the Black Ferns extending training squad and they did nothing to harm their reputations; Baker through her hard running and equally hard tackling and Mahoney with her typically astute reading of play.
Waru too made a big impression through the closeness of her support play while Maia Tua-Davidson, who has represented her country at rugby league, made up a potent midfield combination with Baker.
Meanwhile, a multi-year programme agreed between the RFU (England) and the NZRU will guarantee the Black Ferns play a total of nine test matches against England over the next three years.
The new era starts in November this year when the Black Ferns will travel to England for a three-test series and then England will host another three-test series in 2012.
The 2013 season will see England visit these shores with three tests being part of the itinerary.
The Black Ferns will also have a new head coach this year.
Bryn Evans, who took them to their latest World Cup success, is having a break from coaching and has been replaced in the top job by his assistant, Grant Hensen. Coming in as assistant coach is John Kyle, who is in charge of Otago's NPC side.
NZRFU general manager professional rugby Neil Sorenson said this week the three-year programme organised for the Black Ferns would give them certainty leading into the 2014 season when they would be seeking a fifth consecutive World Cup title win.
It would also provide them with a good base for participation in the 2016 Olympic Games sevens tournament.
Hensen said he was thrilled at the prospect of a three-year schedule of test matches against traditional arch-rivals England, the side the Black Ferns beat in last year's World Cup final.
"We have some strong and talented women out there and the unavailability of some of our 2010 Black Ferns means there will be an opportunity for new players to put themselves into the frame for selection," Hensen said.