Black Ferns v Wales result: Ruby Tui scores four tries as Black Ferns beat Wales in WXV 1 tournament

The Black Ferns have bounced back from their opening loss in the WXV 1 tournament with a 12-try rout of Wales. Christopher Reive reports.

Given room to move, the Black Ferns will take full advantage.

It was a lesson the Welsh learned the hard way in the WXV 1 clash against the hosts in Dunedin, with an emphatic first half performance setting the tone for a 70-7 Black Ferns win.

After falling to France in their tournament opener last weekend, the Black Ferns bounced back well with a performance that provided plenty to enjoy. That was highlighted by four tries to Ruby Tui in the space of 13 minutes through the middle of the first half; a stretch that really saw the game get away from the Welsh side.

Tui, in just her second Black Ferns appearance of 2023 following a sabbatical in the US earlier in the year, was impressive in her 60-minute stint. With some good work off the ball from a set piece in attacking territory, she was able to create an overlap and send fellow wing Mererangi Paul over for the first try of the game 12 minutes in.

She then had things made rather easy for her by her teammates, finishing off some good team tries out wide – her third one that even Tui might have been surprised to see centre Amy du Plessis pass along as she could have easily scored it herself.

Tui and her Black Ferns teammates were able to exploit plenty of space as the Welsh were playing at a numbers disadvantage when fullback Nel Metcalfe was sent to the sinbin for pulling Paul’s hair in attempting to tackle her. Paul would go on to score a hat-trick of her own later in the game.

But the signs were ominous early from the Black Ferns, who had a number of dangerous attacks inside the opening 10 minutes, while their forward pack didn’t take long to assert themselves in the contact areas.

During the week, coach Allan Bunting noted that he wanted to see his side be a bit smarter with their kicking game, and that was a feature of things early on as the kicked for territory and backed their defence to win the ball back – which happened regularly.

Wales did have their moments in the first half, and ended the opening 40 minutes with 47 per cent of the ball in their possession, but even when they were able to get inside Black Ferns territory, it wasn’t long before the defence got over the ball and won it back for the hosts.

Holding a 27-0 lead at the break, the Black Ferns didn’t take their foot off the gas.

Du Plessis, who had yet another strong game alongside Sylvia Brunt in what is shaping up as a formidable midfield pairing for the foreseeable future, did get on the scoreboard early in the second half, and that extension of the lead saw Bunting give his reserves some extended time.

They made several changes, but the Black Ferns didn’t miss a beat down the stretch as their running game began to take its toll on their opposition.

Katelyn Vahaakolo scored just moments after replacing Tui 60 minutes in, before the final 10 minutes saw more tries added through Ruahei Demant and a double to Lucy Jenkins to give the Black Ferns a big win.

They will look to continue that form in their final match of the tournament next weekend in Auckland against England.

Black Ferns 70 (Ruby Tui 4, Mererangi Paul 3, Lucy Jenkins 2, Amy du Plessis, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant tries; Renee Holmes 5 cons)

Wales 7 (Abbie Fleming try; Robyn Wilkins con)

HT: 27-0