Black Ferns 54
Spain 8
Ahead of the Black Ferns’ World Cup opener, director of performance Allan Bunting noted he wanted to see intention rather than perfection.
With a 54-8 win over Spain in York this morning, that was exactly what the side delivered.
The Black Ferns, who came into the contest with a heavily changed starting line-up, made a scratchy start, lacking in accuracy and execution early on. But once they settled into their work, the side got on a roll.
Spain took a while to break down, defending well and challenging the Black Ferns at the breakdown. However, a quick double to loose forward Jorja Miller saw the defending champions get the scoreboard moving, and they didn’t look back from there.
“[It was] good to see our ladies get out there. They were pretty eager to get out there and play, chuck the ball around a little bit. We probably overplayed a little bit in the start there, but it’s good to see Black Ferns rugby going and it’s something to really build off now,” Bunting said after the match.
There were good signs for the Black Ferns in the contest. They certainly ticked the intent box with their carries and willingness to try to stretch the Spanish defence. Fullback Renee Holmes, in just her second start of the season, served a reminder of how much of an asset her goal kicking can be – converting seven of her eight attempts
They do, however, appear set to lose Kaipo Olsen-Baker to the injury ward for some time. The impressive loose forward was injured after taking a carry into contact early in the second half and was taken from the pitch with her leg in a supportive cast.
It was Olsen-Baker’s first appearance after a foot injury saw her miss the test against Australia last month, and the 23-year-old had only been on the pitch for a short time having replaced Miller after the halftime break.
Left wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga also left the pitch under an injury cloud, seen receiving treatment on her left leg after scoring a second-half double. Centre Amy du Plessis also appeared to sustain a shoulder injury midway through the first half, but she continued through to halftime before being replaced.
As a result, the Black Ferns finished with just 13 players on the pitch.
“It was obviously pretty tough to watch,” Bunting said of the injuries.
“Heart goes out to them but they’re in good care now and we’ll wait to see what comes back from the assessment.”
There will be plenty for Bunting and his team to take away from the match. The lineout and scrum functioned well, they were able to break Spain down and really implement their running game in the second half – coinciding with some of their more regular starters getting involved.
Spain did have some success challenging the Black Ferns at the breakdown, though, and did threaten to break out on counterattacks off Black Ferns’ errors in the first half. The Black Ferns also conceded a try in the last play of the game, unable to keep a late Spanish surge at bay.
The game got off to an ideal start for the Black Ferns as Leti-I’iga charged down an attempted Spanish clearance to give the New Zealand side possession about 10m from the Spanish line with less than a minute off the clock.
It took until the 13th minute before they were able to break the Spanish defences, though, with Miller selling a dummy and shooting through the hole it created.
The reigning New Zealand Rugby player of the year was over again just moments later, this time finishing off a nice passing move that saw plenty of pairs of hands on the ball before ultimately finding Miller on the right wing.
Some patient option-taking from halfback Iritana Hohaia at the ruck just metres out ended with Liana Mikaele-Tu’u - who was awarded player of the match - crossing for a third, with the Black Ferns taking a 21-3 lead into the break.
Bunting made plenty of changes within the first 10 minutes of the second half, with the likes of Ruahei Demant, Georgia Ponsonby and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe entering the contest and making their mark.
Tries to Leti-I’iga, Ponsonby, Woodman-Wickliffe and Theresa Setefano saw the side run up the score line, with a 46-point victory capping a solid performance.
That will see them go top of the group after the first round, with Ireland claiming a 42-14 win over Japan earlier this morning.
Black Ferns 54 (Jorja Miller 2, Ayesha Leti-I’iga 2, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Georgia Ponsonby, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano tries; Renee Holmes 7 cons)
Spain 8 (Ines Antolinez Fernandez try; Amalia Argudo pen)
HT: 21-3