Rugby: Black Ferns destroy South Africa

New Zealand kicked off their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign in England in style overnight, crushing South Africa 55-3, reports www.scrumqueens.com.

The defending champions dominated the game from start to finish with some outstanding displays from players like number 8 Casey Robertson and winger Carla Hohepa.

New Zealand got off to a super start when Williams went on an early
charge and the Black Ferns were dominant from the off. Their early
dominance paid off when Carla Hohepa's pace took her around the
outside and over the line for the first try. Kelly Brazier kicked the
convertion for a 7-0 lead after just five minutes.

South Africa struggled to deal with the pace the Black Ferns were
putting on the game in attack and they conceded again minutes later
when hooker Fiao'o Faamausili crashed over from short range after
impressive work up front. Brazier converted and then scored herself
after a storming break through the middle took her under the posts for
an easy 7-pointer.

This game was now all about how much NZ could score as the Black Ferns
were picking off their points with ease. A quick penalty from Brazier
handed another score to Hohepa who was too quick again out wide for
the South African cover. Huriana Manuel then scored after some
impressive offloading.

New Zealand's offloading was perhaps the most impressive part of their
game as they kept the ball alive throughout and out wide the likes of
Hohepa and Renee Wickliffe were showing their flair and ability every
time they got the ball.

Another try in the first half came from Manual though South Africa did
have one great chance to score when a loose Black Fern pass saw
Phumesa Gadu kick ahead only to see the ball trickle past the dead
ball area just before she reached it. The Black Ferns came out
unchanged in the second half and Witcliffe raced over for her first
try after intercepting a run of play where South Africa had for once
had an attacking opportunity.

South Africa had upped their game though and could take heart in some
strong runs from the likes of number 8 Namhia Siyolo who was doing her
best to rise her team.

The Black Ferns though gave their opponents little opportunity to
shine and Hohepa's hatrick inevitably came as New Zealand pushed out
to a 48-0 lead and the Black Fern management decided to empty their
bench to give a runout to their replacements a runout in a game they
had long wrapped up.

South Africa finally registered their first points of the day when
fullback Zandole Nojoko kicked a penalty after a couple of earlier
misses.

Casey Robertson who had been superb throughout was rewarded for her
fine game with a try at 70 mins.

The Black Fern management will be pleased with such a high-scoring
game though there may be some concern about discipline with the
champions conceding far too many penalties. Their blistering start
though was ultimately too much in the first half.

- www.scrumqueens.com