The Kiwi Ferns have continued their winning way at the womens rugby league World Cup, beating England 34-16 this morning (NZ time). Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The match was an arm wrestle for long periods, with the scores tied 16-all during the second half. But four tries late in the game have sent the Kiwis into a fourth consecutive World Cup final.
Kiwi Ferns coach Lynley Tierney-Mani will have plenty to think about, though, with her team heavily tested through most of the match and leading just 12-6 at half-time.
Yeah, there was a little bit of a sweat on for some of us on the sideline, she said.
England should be proud. They played with plenty of passion and really wanted it.
The English also used tactics that steered the Kiwi girls away from their strengths.
They slowed the tackles and directed us into confrontation. They have some solid girls but we got some fresh legs into the middle of the park when it was 16-all and we managed to sort things out.
Players to stand out for the Kiwis were Kahurangi Peters, who defended superbly from lock, along with the fullback Sarina Fiso, who scored a couple of tries and was named the NZ player of the day. Karley Te Kawa was another to shine, with her defensive wing play saving the Kiwis on many occasions.
In front of a crowd 1127, the Kiwi Ferns recorded seven tries, with the veteran half Laura Mariu converting three of them.
In this morning's other pool match, the Australian Jillaroos beat France 72-0 to record a second win, after they'd beaten England 14-6 in the first round.
The Kiwi Ferns' final pool match is against the Jillaroos (5am Friday, July 12 NZT), before the two currently unbeaten teams meet again in Sundays World Cup final (12.45am Monday, July 5 NZT) at Headingley, Leeds.
Kiwi Ferns 34 (Sarina Fiso 2, Kelly Maipi, Aimee Gilbert, Akenese Pereira, Honey Hireme, Karley Te Kawa tries; Laura Mariu 3 conversions).
England 16 (Amy Hardcastle 3 tries; Natalie Gilmour 2 conversions).
Halftime: 12-6 Kiwi Ferns.
Kiwi Ferns: 1. Sarina Fiso, 2. Aimee Gilbert, 3. Honey Hireme (captain), 4. Lisa Campbell, 5. Karley Te Kawa, 6. Rona Peters, 7. Laura Mariu, 8. Charlotte Scanlon, 9. Sharnita Woodman, 10. Ana Pereira, 11. Kathy Keremete, 12. Ake Pereira, 13. Kahurangi Peters, 14. Geneva Webber, 15. Maryanne Hemara, 16. Kelly Maipi, 17. Amber Hall, 18. Chanelle Wright
WORLD CUP DRAW (UK times shown):
Thursday, July 11, 6.00pm
LoveRugbyLeague.com Stadium, Batley
New Zealand v Australia
Sunday, July 14, 1.45pm
Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds
World Cup Final
The match was an arm wrestle for long periods, with the scores tied 16-all during the second half. But four tries late in the game have sent the Kiwis into a fourth consecutive World Cup final.
Kiwi Ferns coach Lynley Tierney-Mani will have plenty to think about, though, with her team heavily tested through most of the match and leading just 12-6 at half-time.
Yeah, there was a little bit of a sweat on for some of us on the sideline, she said.
England should be proud. They played with plenty of passion and really wanted it.
The English also used tactics that steered the Kiwi girls away from their strengths.
They slowed the tackles and directed us into confrontation. They have some solid girls but we got some fresh legs into the middle of the park when it was 16-all and we managed to sort things out.
Players to stand out for the Kiwis were Kahurangi Peters, who defended superbly from lock, along with the fullback Sarina Fiso, who scored a couple of tries and was named the NZ player of the day. Karley Te Kawa was another to shine, with her defensive wing play saving the Kiwis on many occasions.
In front of a crowd 1127, the Kiwi Ferns recorded seven tries, with the veteran half Laura Mariu converting three of them.
In this morning's other pool match, the Australian Jillaroos beat France 72-0 to record a second win, after they'd beaten England 14-6 in the first round.
The Kiwi Ferns' final pool match is against the Jillaroos (5am Friday, July 12 NZT), before the two currently unbeaten teams meet again in Sundays World Cup final (12.45am Monday, July 5 NZT) at Headingley, Leeds.
Kiwi Ferns 34 (Sarina Fiso 2, Kelly Maipi, Aimee Gilbert, Akenese Pereira, Honey Hireme, Karley Te Kawa tries; Laura Mariu 3 conversions).
England 16 (Amy Hardcastle 3 tries; Natalie Gilmour 2 conversions).
Halftime: 12-6 Kiwi Ferns.
Kiwi Ferns: 1. Sarina Fiso, 2. Aimee Gilbert, 3. Honey Hireme (captain), 4. Lisa Campbell, 5. Karley Te Kawa, 6. Rona Peters, 7. Laura Mariu, 8. Charlotte Scanlon, 9. Sharnita Woodman, 10. Ana Pereira, 11. Kathy Keremete, 12. Ake Pereira, 13. Kahurangi Peters, 14. Geneva Webber, 15. Maryanne Hemara, 16. Kelly Maipi, 17. Amber Hall, 18. Chanelle Wright
WORLD CUP DRAW (UK times shown):
Thursday, July 11, 6.00pm
LoveRugbyLeague.com Stadium, Batley
New Zealand v Australia
Sunday, July 14, 1.45pm
Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds
World Cup Final
