Black Ferns v USA: Mererangi Paul scores hat-trick as Black Ferns claim big win

Mererangi Paul scored the Black Ferns' first two tries against USA. Photo / Photosport

Black Ferns 48

USA 15

The Black Ferns new era is underway.

There is plenty to be revealed as the new-look New Zealand team go about their business over their 11 tests this year, but their 48-15 win over the USA on Sunday morning certainly provided some insights.

The Black Ferns were the dominant side for much of the contest, ramping things up in the final 30 minutes after the Americans tested them early. But there was a clear emphasis on playing through the middle before looking to free the speedsters up out wide, right wing Mererangi Paul scoring a hat-trick and fullback Renee Holmes a double.

With quality ball from halfback Maia Joseph, the New Zealand women were able to rumble through the Americans, with plenty of carries from the forwards one off the ruck. They still played with attacking flair, causing their hosts problems when they did look to move it through the hands, but it was largely the pace of their attack that allowed them to get on top of the Americans.

Discipline remained an issue for the New Zealanders, however. They were twice down to 14 players, with yellow cards to flanker Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and prop Tanya Kalounivale, the latter upgraded to a red for a poor cleanout. They were down to 13 late in the contest after hooker Vici-Rose Green was shown a yellow card, and finished a player down.

Some early infringements welcomed the US into attacking territory and the hosts struck first through veteran prop Hope Rogers just five minutes in.

The lead didn’t last long, however. Within minutes, the Black Ferns had drawn level after Paul found herself in space out wide. While she had support, the winger opted for a chip and chase, and was able to beat the US defenders to the ball and finish an individual effort.

Paul scored a second three minutes later, finishing out wide after some strong work in the middle from the forwards, and the Black Ferns led 12-7 after 12 minutes.

Again, a Black Ferns infringement saw the hosts add to their score through a Bella Vogel penalty a couple of minutes later, but the visitors soon began to take over.

There were a number of opportunities that were missed for the Black Ferns in the contest as the US fronted up defensively, but they eventually extended their lead in the 32nd minute through second five-eighths Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, who was heavily involved in the contest both with her running game and distribution.

The US hit straight back as left wing Erica Coulibaly beat Paul to the ball after second five-eighths Katana Howard put a lovely chip over the Black Ferns’ defensive line.

Leading by four at the break, the Black Ferns got off to a poor start in the second stanza. Lock Laura Bayfield couldn’t bring in the restart, before Mikaele-Tu’u was sin-binned in the 42nd minute.

The Black Ferns managed the following period well though and extended the lead through Holmes.

When Paul scored her third a few minutes later to make it 31-15, it felt like the visitors were set to run away with it.

Holmes scored a second before Hannah King‘s 63rd-minute try pushed the score out further.

Holmes had the final say, with a last-minute penalty goal capping off the win.

Black Ferns 48 (Mererangi Paul 3, Renee Holmes 2, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Hannah King tries; Holmes 5 cons, pen)

USA 15 (Hope Rogers, Erica Coulibaly tries; Bella Vogel con, pen)

HT: 19-15