New Zealand’s Women Overwhelm England A

from IRB:

World champions New Zealand made it two wins in the space of four days by following up their victory over England Women on Saturday with an emphatic 48-3 rout of England A at Esher Rugby Club on Tuesday night.

The Black Ferns, who had won the first test 16-3 at the same venue days earlier, proved just why they are the world’s number one side and winners of the last three Women’s Rugby World Cups by running in seven tries.

Kendra Cocksedge gave the tourists the dream start with a try in the second minute, the scrum half making a break and finding space to touch down. Her opposite number La Toya Mason kicked a penalty minutes later, but that proved to be the England second string’s only score of the match.

They simply could not find a way through the resolute New Zealand defence and with the visitors a contrast threat in attack, England A’s cause was not helped by the sin-binning of Natalie Binstead in the 22nd minute.

Carla Hohepa, the leading try scorer in the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai earlier this year, crossed while she was off the field and then touched down her second score to give the Black Ferns a 19-3 half time lead.

The Black Ferns started the second half as they had the first with prop Beth Mallard muscling her way over from close range and England could find no way through, even when Cocksedge was sent to the sin-bin.

Invaluable insight

Instead it was the three-time world champions who stretched their advantage with Anika Tiplady kicking a penalty and crossing for a try in between scores from Huriana Manuel and Kelly Brazier, who had made her Black Ferns debut in last weekend’s test.

Despite the heavy loss, there were still positives that England A head coach Mike Barnett was able to draw from the match as both nations build towards next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in London.

“This was a great learning curve for this young team. ‘A’ team rugby is all about development and with the World Cup just nine months away this has provided the England Elite Squad with an invaluable insight as to where we need to be in August next year.

“They played with great width and some serious pace in attack. We matched up physically and in fitness but some of our core skills were not as spot on as theirs.”

The two countries who have contested the last two Women’s Rugby World Cup finals will meet again on Saturday in an historic double header at Twickenham, kicking off at 16:45 GMT after the England men take on the All Blacks.