2018 Black Ferns

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According to the Rugby Australia website, when the All Blacks play the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup in Perth next year, it will be another double header with the Black Ferns playing the Wallaroos again. It's not only the first time a Bledisloe Cup test will be played in Perth, but also the first time the Wallaroos play in Western Australia.

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Black Ferns squad to take on the USA (Sun, 6.00am NZT - Sky Sport 1):

1 Phillipa Love (4)
2 Fiao'o Faamausili (54, captain)
3 Aldora Itunu (17)
4 Eloise Blackwell (34)
5 Charmaine Smith (18)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (16)
7 Les Elder (11)
8 Aroha Savage (30)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (44, vc)
10 Ruahei Demant (2)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga *
12 Chelsea Alley (17)
13 Stacey Waaka (13)
14 Renee Wickliffe (32)
15 Selica Winiata (33)

16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (22)
17 Leilani Perese (2)
18 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (26)
19 Jackie Patea-Fereti (14)
20 Linda Itunu (37)
21 Kristina Sue (12)
22 Krysten Cottrell (2)
23 Monica Tagoai*

The team features the starting selection of Wellington speedster Ayesha Leti-I'iga to the left wing. The 19-year-old is enjoying a remarkable ride in rugby, named in Glenn Moore’s squad after she was crowned Wellington’s women’s club player of the year.  

The teenager scored 41 tries in just 13 matches this year, including a hat-trick on nine occasions. She debuts on the left wing, with the experienced and wise Renee Wickliffe keeping an eye on her from the right wing. 

Moore said Leti-I'iga had been on Black Ferns' selectors' radar for the last couple of years and was now beginning to mature and grow. 

"Ayesha is the highest try scorer in the Farah Palmer Cup and also in club rugby in New Zealand.

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Strong looking squad, although I must admit I haven't seen the newbies play, so I don't know them.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/33376/black-ferns-named-for-historic-usa-test

Davesofthunder

41 tries in 13 matches is remarkable

Stargazer

C'mon girls!

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One minute into the game and prop Aldora Itunu scores the first try.

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Great conversion from Cocksedge. 7 - 0 NZ

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Lost my Skype connection; coming back, the USA have scored a penalty goal. 7 - 3 NZ

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On-field decision: try Chelsey Alley. TMO to check grounding. Camera angle isn't very good. Try awarded. Deserved.

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Another conversion from Cocksedge. Thought it went under the cross-bar, but apparently it was good. 14 - 3 NZ

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Another try to the Ferns. Eloise Blackwell. Cocksedge's boot is good again. 21 - 3 NZ

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The game is a bit one-sided. Not strange, as the Americans haven't played since the World Cup last year and have several debutants in the squad.

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It's a pity the BFs can't play these games with players like Woodman and Brazier. They're so much faster than some of the XVs players (some of which are getting a bit old and are losing speed).

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Great driving maul from the Ferns. Not surprising that Faaumasili scores the try.

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First miss from Cocksedge. 26 - 3 NZ

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Half time: USA 6, NZL 26

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Ferns:

72 % territory
49 % possession
over 5 minutes in opposition 22 (USA only just over 1 minute)

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Easy try from Wickliffe. USA reacting too slow after the Ferns win a penalty, resulting in an overlap.

Difficult kick for Cocksedge, who misses the conversion.

31 - 6 NZ

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Great break from Aroha Savage; pity the pass from McMennamin was poor, otherwise Winiata's speed would probably have resulted in another try scoring opportunity.

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Try Winiata! Not a fan of Demant at 10 - they'r missing Subritzky-Nafatali - but that was very good.

Another difficult kick for Cocksedge but she nails it.

38 - 6 NZ

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Another try for Wickliffe. I think fatigue is going to be an issue for the Americans. A very inexperienced team, not having played much rugby (some come from 7s, some from college rugby), while the Ferns have played NPC.

43 - 6 NZ

The Silver Fern

2018 Black Ferns