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The Black Ferns wanted a no international match challenge in 2020 and the New Zealand barbarians have absolutely provided it.
Their second clash at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park on Saturday, won 19-17 by the Black Ferns, went to the wire and the national teams will have many decisions to ponder after the last game of the women’s season, 10 months away from Nueva’s defense. Zeeland. of the Rugby World Cup at home.
New Zealand Rugby will finalize the majority of contracts in the 15 women’s program by 2021 next month and several red-clad barbarians have certainly raised their hands to wear black.
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Black Ferns No 8 Charmaine McMenamin charging forward.
The Black Ferns were finally too strong last Saturday, winning comfortably (34-15) in Auckland, but the world champions held on to the ugliest of victories under the Tasmanian sun and failed to register a point in 40 seconds. minutes.
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Seasoned No. 8 Charmaine McMenamin was excellent again, as did Captain Eloise Blackwell and forward Aroha Savage from the bench, who made a big impact in a hectic second verse, but it was not a convicting performance that Black’s coaches did. Ferns would like to finish. the season.
Even star running back Kendra Cocksedge wasn’t at his best on a team that changed after last weekend.
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Black Ferns’ Chelsea Alley center meets the Barbarians defense.
Their next matches will potentially be tryouts next April or May and they can’t come early enough in the World Cup year.
The New Zealand defense stood firm when it mattered to deny the Baabaas a surprising victory and a final attack was repelled in a frenzied final minute.
The Barbarians trailed by just two points with 17 minutes remaining once Patricia Maliepo broke the deadlock in the second half with a penalty goal and the Black Ferns were unable to break them.
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The barbarians congratulated their captain Alana Bremner on her attempt.
The Black Ferns approached the Baabaas during their haka before kickoff, the teams went head-to-head and stared at each other, and fired at the players in what was effectively a final test for many to prove their worth before the Cup. of the World next year.
Naturally, the Baabaas thrived when the game was more hectic and unstructured, barbarian-style, and they unnerved the Black Ferns with dazzling attacks from the training ground, as well as plenty of spontaneous plays from players like their promising rookie playmaker. , 17. Maliepo of one year.
Canadian international Cindy Nelles was also excellent for the Baabaas at No. 8, as was lockout Joanah Ngan-Woo, who was an international last year but missed out on the national team. Ngan-Woo was certainly unlucky enough not to play in black, but he has made his case.
The Black Ferns weren’t happy with their performance in the first game and looked to use the excitement of the tense pregame haka to start off on the front foot, striking first with a brilliant try, targeting Phillipa Love scoring after a patient attack from the inside. of yours. medium.
Hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate landed after an unstoppable rolling maul and the Black Ferns were in clinical form, shaking the Barbarians with greater intensity.
Against the tide of the game, however, the Baabaas struck back, Captain Alana Bremner dived after a heavy carry from Nelles, and suddenly went ahead after Amy Rule’s converted try.
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Amy du Plessis, center of Black Ferns, is dragged away by the barbarians.
The Barbarians improved throughout the first half and frustrated the Black Ferns, their breakdown dominance proved less effective as the red jerseys flooded the rucks for more turnovers.
Love’s second after the horn of another patient play ensured the Black Ferns led at halftime, but the second half was just as tight.
The barbarians threatened to cause a setback, but couldn’t take their best chances and the black ferns held out.
TAKE A LOOK:
Black ferns 19 (Phillipa Love 2, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate tries; Kendra Cocksedge 2 with) New Zealand Barbarians 17 (Alana Bremner, Amy Rule tries; Patricia Maliepo 2 scam, pen). HT: 19-14.
