Black Ferns 2024

[Auckman]

Strong team for the first hit out but clearly two experiments going on here with Vaipulu at lock and Joseph at halfback. Three experiments if you count King coming off the bench at first-five.

Goalkicking won't be an issue in this match as they're expected to march through the US (although they struggled last year for the first half) but no recognised goalkicker is a big concern for me with the WXV1 and the big test at Twickenham later this year. They already struggle in this department with Renee Holmes. Without Holmes, Demant appears to be the next in line among the starters. Maliepo on the bench has kicked in the past but hasn't all year for the Blues because Cottrell was the kicker and highest pointscorer in Aupiki. Did Cottrell get picked? Nope. Maybe Hannah King can kick when she gets on. Actually, I'd have King kick ahead of Maliepo and Demant.

[Bovidae]

@Auckman This would be the first BF team in a while without a Bremner.

I am surprised that Mikaele Tu'u and Sae aren't playing in each others positions.

[Machpants]

Hot start for the ferns, double points than minutes 12-0

Is that what the ABs jerseys will look like? Pretty crap

Oops another try as I write, 19-0 8 mins

[Machpants]

Paul a hat trick in sixteen minutes

[Machpants]

Ferns got sloppy second quarter, USA find a bit of composure. Ref allowing absolute free for all at the ruck, which helps USA.

36-0 half time

[Bovidae]

I've been impressed with Joseph. A good pass and she has some kicking ability (from playing 1st 5 too).

[Machpants]

Man ferns defensive line has turned to crap

[antipodean]

USA fumble the ball 30cm from the line.

[Machpants]

All USA second half, ferns looking unorganized

[Machpants]

Pretty much every ruck, defending players hands straight to deck, ref had ignored them all

[Machpants]

Nice try there, gift to ruby by Paul

[Machpants]

Grinding try by USA. Our lineout is shit, I think it would be a yellow if no try, hair a dozen penalties in a row

[antipodean]

Wow, that's some tired and woeful tackling there. Layla Sae running over/ through three Americans from 40m out to score.

[Machpants]

And again, they're run out of steam

[Machpants]

Jesus, straight onto her hands, gets the penalty

[Machpants]

57-5, good first quarter, the rest pretty average, and a few tries at the end where the USA ran out of steam

[Bovidae]

A similar scoreline to Canada over the USA so much tougher opponents to come.

I liked the loose forward combo including the injection of Olsen-Baker from the bench. A good debut from Vaipulu and King.

[Auckman]

Good first 30mins
Shit second half
Joseph & King went pretty good
Reserve forwards weren’t much chop except KOB in her first test in 2 years. Defensive system was shot in the second half.

Plenty to work on before the better Pac-4 teams

[Auckman]

@Machpants said in Black Ferns 2024:

Pretty much every ruck, defending players hands straight to deck, ref had ignored them all

Gets my goat. Same happened vs England. The refs in women’s rugby seem to be blind to NH-style cheating at the ruck. Especially England.

[Bovidae]

One change to the starting XV due to injury (Chryss Viliko for Kate Henwood). Canada will be a much tougher opponent (2nd vs 3rd).