Saturday 15 July 2023
Kick-off 8.00am NZT
Sky Sport 1

1 Esther Faiaoga-Tilo*
2 Grace Gago*
3 Amy Rule (14)
4 Joanah Ngan-Woo (18)
5 Maiakawanakaulani Roos (16) (Captain)
6 Lucy Jenkins (1)
7 Kendra Reynolds (11)
8 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (13)
9 Iritana Hohaia (2)
10 Rosie Kelly (2)
11 Grace Steinmetz (1)
12 Grace Brooker (1)
13 Amy du Plessis (9)
14 Kelsey Teneti (2)
15 Tenika Willison (1)

16 Georgia Ponsonby (15)
17 Phillipa Love (26)
18 Tanya Kalounivale (8)
19 Chelsea Bremner (14)
20 Kennedy Simon (15)
21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (14)
22 Ruahei Demant (28)
23 Renee Holmes (12)

*Denotes Black Ferns debut.

Jeez that's young captain

@Machpants said in Black Ferns v USA (Pacific Four):

Jeez that's young captain

Very impressive to be captain at 21 isn't it?? Good on the girl!!

Red card for the BFs fuuuuuark

Head clash. Iritana Hohaia gets a red card in the 3rd minute!

Was just about to comment on how vertical the BFs are when they tackle, super frustrating stuff.

No 20 minute red card either. It's for the rest of the game.

Try USA.

The ball wasn't out and the US just fell over the ball and sealed it off, nothing from the ref

Ref should be consistent and give red here, as well, but she's trying to talk herself out of it.

Yep, yellow.

Reason is that there was another player involved.

Great lineout set piece BFs

@Stargazer the Black Ferns player dipped but yeah the reasoning is strange

Try to Grace Gago.

5 - 7 USA

That should have been a scrum penalty to NZ. Not given.

Very frustrating watch, Black Ferns just need to breathe and not make their tackles standing upright. They're down a player but they can still win, lots of handling errors as well

No release in the tackle before the turnover

She didn't even tap the ball????

Terrible refereeing. And that red card totally ruined the game. Two reasons the USA are in front.

5 - 14 USA

The commentators talking up the USA. They know the USA have a player more, don't they?

Having said that, the Ferns must adapt better and calm the heck down.

Mikaele-Tu'u sent to the bin for repeated (team) infringing. Ferns down to 13.

Haha, and the USA don't back themselves and go for a kick at goal.

5 - 17 USA

Well, I think it's going to be tough from here. Red card was hard to argue with, But agee with @Stargazer no way did the girl take the tap before second try. I not even sure why Bunting isn't putting on a 9, this 10 is struggling to adapt.

Arihiana is on at 21 so should hopefully bring some level headedness at halfback

Demant shouldn't have kicked that, but she probably did because she's not fast enough.

Replacement players having a great impact

Try to Marino-Tauhinu, converted by Holmes.

12 - 17 USA

Penalty goal Renee Holmes.

15 - 17 USA

Been a good test to see how the team performs under duress just need to be a little more composed ,just looking a bit frantic at times

Classic example right there,could have kept it in the scrum and pulled a penalty

The experience of the NZ bench has made a huge difference. Many of the starters were rookies.

Typical frontrow try to Pip Love. Fantastic kick from Holmes to convert it.

22 - 17 NZ

Why do you have to use the ball at scrumtime when you are clearly moving forward..?

Shit that was good from Mikaele-Tu'u

Shit, didn't realise this was on at this time and it is a Utrecht Shield match which could change hands!

LMT's try is converted by Holmes.

29 - 17 NZ

Try to Demant. Not converted.

34 - 17 NZ

The natural order is restored.

Ruahei named POTM after coming on at the 30th minute.