New Zealand captures 28-0 win over Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s Team in Second Match of Pacific Four Series
Rugby 15s Senior Women
A standout defensive effort from No. 2-ranked New Zealand was the difference in Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s’ second match of their 2022 Pacific Four Series campaign.
A standout defensive effort from No. 2-ranked New Zealand was the difference in Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s’ second match of their 2022 Pacific Four Series campaign, as the Black Ferns captured a 28-0 win at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, June 11.
Tries from New Zealand’s Chelsea Bremner, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Ruby Tui (2), a conversion from captain Ruahei Demant, and a pair of early penalty conversions from Hazel Tubic rounded out scoring in Saturday’s match. Pamphinette Buisa’s play through 80 minutes, including a number of key tackles and defensive plays, highlighted Canada’s individual performances.
Heads up plays to force turnovers in Canada’s defensive end from Buisa and captain Sophie de Goede saw both players prevent potential scoring plays late in the half from the Black Ferns, as both teams headed into the break with the hosts leading 6-0 off a pair of successful penalty conversions.
New Zealand's stifling defence carried over into the second half of play and was bolstered by a boost of offence, including a 47th minute try from Tui and a pair of late tries in the 75th and 77th minute of play from Bremner and Tui, respectively.
New Zealand’s defence was also on display at the 55-minute mark, where a forced turnover on what appeared to be an almost guaranteed try for the Canadians preserved the shutout bid for the Black Ferns.
“We’re disappointed for sure, I don’t think there’s any other way to spin it,” said de Goede. “I thought we had the ability to win today, so to come away scoreless is disappointing, but we’ll learn a lot from it. All credit to the Black Ferns and their defence, they were really physical today…hopefully we’ll have another shot at them in a couple months time.”
Next up, Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s, whose official team partner is NFP, wrap up their Pacific Four Series against Australia on Friday, June 17, at 1:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. Eastern/6:30 p.m. Pacific on Friday, June 17).