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The Black Ferns returned home for the first time in 2020 and the challenge from the energetic New Zealand barbarians was excellent training in the absence of test rugby.
The reigning world champions won 34-15 at Auckland’s Trusts Arena, but an impromptu set of barbarians, playing in red, undoubtedly put the women in black to the test, 10 months before their world title defense in New Zealand.
Last weekend’s test, which the Possibles won 28-19 against the Probables, separated one test team from the best of the rest and the Black Ferns were only sure of their six-shot victory once prominent midfielder Grace Brooker took advantage of a favorable rebound to score. with 12 minutes to go.
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Black Ferns running back Kendra Cocksedge scored the first try.
There was no testing in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 on the sports calendar, and there was no international opposition to play, which meant that the next best opposition was those on the sidelines or rising through the ranks in the New Zealand women’s game. .
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The Barbarians were by far the second best, as expected, but it was a worthwhile exercise for the Black Ferns because those in red fighting for places on the national team challenged the test starters, many of whom were playing his first game in the black jersey in 15 months.
In fact, the Barbarians were trailing by just five points early in the second half after pouncing on a rare mistake from New Zealand star running back Kendra Cocksedge, Lyric Faleafaga landed on a grubber kick, but the possibility of a surprise was eliminated. for a quick. team response in black.
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Langi Veainu scored twice on his Black Ferns debut.
Cheyelle Robins-Reti’s try on her Black Ferns debut kept the Barbarians at bay and was decisive in a match played in fiercely hot spring weather.
Still, the Barbarians kept coming and the support from Krystal Murray, blocking by Joanah Ngan-Woo, playmaker Patricia Maliepo and forward Alana Bremner were particularly impressive in red.
For the Black Ferns, Hazel Tubic’s first five-eighths controlled much of the game and the presence of Aroha Savage at No. 8, as well as forward Kennedy Simon, ensured their forward dominance, while the Eloise Blackwell lock was solid as captain for the first time. time.
New Zealand’s last test was against Australia at Eden Park in August 2019 and the next one won’t be until April or May at the earliest, so this was a great opportunity for the Barbarians team hopefuls to stake their claim on the national team. because there will be limited opportunities to impress before next year’s World Cup.
Earlier, another classic Cocksedge attempt, catching the opposition taking a nap from a quick play, aided by Savage’s sublime discharge, and the Black Ferns hit the front.
Savage had another assist as rookie winger Langi Veainu squeezed into the left corner and the Black Ferns then pounced on horrific errors by the Barbarians on their own line, while another rookie, blocking Kelsie Wills, took off flying.
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The New Zealand barbarians were just five points at the start of the second half.
The world champions were in song and Veainu scored another goal from Brooker’s crafty discharge, the lead then 20-0 with Cocksedge missing four conversions from the touchline.
The barbarians still looked dangerous on the ball, making the play for three points through Maliepo’s disconcerting penalty goal as they trailed by 20, though it was somewhat vindicated when Murray stepped forward for his first attempt moments later.
Faleafaga’s spike for the Barbarians after the break brought him closer, but the Black Ferns were too strong and clinical when it mattered in the second half. The two sides will meet again in Nelson next Saturday.
TAKE A LOOK:
Black ferns 34 (Kendra Cocksedge, Langi Veainu 2, Kelsie Wills, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Grace Brooker tries; Cocksedge, Hazel Tubic with) New Zealand Barbarians 15 (Krystal Murray, Lyric Faleafaga tries; Patricia Maliepo scam, pen). HT: 20-8.
