Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA Women’s National Team fell 45-12 to New Zealand in the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) semifinals. The Americans will now play either England or France for third place on Saturday, Aug. 26 in Belfast.
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New Zealand, as the No. 1 ranked team in the world, was heavily favored in this match and attempting to right a perceived wrong from 2014. The Black Ferns didn’t qualify for the previous World Cup semifinals – the team’s worst finish to date – and today rostered 11 players from that 2014 squad, all working toward retribution.
The Black Ferns got into good attacking position quickly, as fullback Selica Winiata placed a superb kick inside the USA’s 10 meter. The chase was quick and USA flyhalf Kimber Rozier had no choice but to quickly kick to touch for few meters. A handful of phases after the subsequent lineout, New Zealand captain Fiao’o Faamausili sucked two defenders into the tackle and scrumhalf Kendra Cocksedge sped off the back. She hit flyhalf Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali – so difficult to contain with a little bit of momentum – in space for the game’s first try, 5-0 after two minutes.
Photo: INPHO/Billy Stickland for World Rugby
Faamausili, along with Aon Player of the Match Kelly Brazier at inside center, was detrimental to the team’s kicking game. The 10-12 duo did an excellent job of spying space behind the defense and putting chasers down the sideline, especially in the USA’s 22 meter. Faamausili kick passed to wing Renee Wickliffe, who offloaded to Winiata close to the try line. Fortunately, USA wing Naya Tapper zeroed in on the ball for a crucial turnover.
The USA then began to march down field after two successful lineouts, which were more successful to the back pod. New Zealand was effective in disrupting the short lineouts, but one such occurrence resulted in a knock-on and the game’s first scrum on the Black Ferns’ 22. The ball shot out and worked to Tapper, who inserted from the weak side for a nice gain. As she’s wont to do, Tapper popped to her feet after the tackle, forcing the defense to re-swarm, and allowing a little more room out wide. Rozier moved the ball to fullback Cheta Emba, who then lobbed the overhead pass to wing Kristen Thomas, who slipped out of Woodman’s tackle for the try. Alev Kelter made a tough conversion for the 7-5 lead after 17 minutes.
Cocksedge accounted for 10 points off the tee. / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Although the lead was short-lived – Cocksedge kicked a penalty two minutes later (8-7) – it was significant. New Zealand hadn’t conceded any points prior to the 60-minute mark this tournament, and the USA would go on to score 12 in the first three quarters.
In the second quarter, New Zealand tightened up its attack a bit, sending its forwards into the thick of it, and the Americans were up for the challenge. The defense remained fast off of the line and were able to slow down the breakdown. Throughout the entirety of the game, however, the Black Ferns were better about building on this strategy and then realizing the space out wide.
At the 25-minute mark, the game saw the first flash of what Portia Woodman was to bring. The wing inserted off the scrum then fended her way past four defenders, displaying great footwork and power to the try line. Cocksedge converted for the 15-7 lead.
Woodman, the best finisher in the game / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The final 10 minutes of the half saw the USA with two good attacking campaigns with double-digit phases near and inside the New Zealand 22. At one point the USA crossed the try line before restarting play with a penalty, but the Black Ferns absorbed the attack. The USA missed a couple of opportunities to spin the ball wide, but the victory there goes to the defense.
The half ended with some good momentum for the USA, although it was tough not come away with any points. When the game resumed, play settled in the Eagles’ half. Eight minutes passed until Brazier kicked through the defense with Winiata on the chase. On the tryline, the fullback offloaded to Woodman in support for the try, 20-7. Five minutes later, Cocksedge added her second penalty of the day, capitalizing on a defender losing one’s feet in the ruck, for the 23-7 lead after 55 minutes.
Just when it looked like the USA lost its first good attacking opportunity with a not-straight lineout, a batted kick in the middle of the field revived the mood. Stacey Bridges came away with the ball and powered through middle, offloading to Kelter before hitting the ground. The inside center had 50 meters to go and had to outrun Woodman and Winiata. The pursuit closed in and Kelter angled toward the corner. She threw a final fend on Winiata, disrupting Woodman’s attempt at a shirt grab, and dove into the try zone.
USA fans erupt after Kelter try / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA created that scoring opportunity and proved how fast and powerful it can play. It was certainly a highlight, a “don’t count us out” moment, that hopefully acts as a catalyst to momentum.
But New Zealand proved its experience and consistency. Much like the USA’s first try, the Kiwis immediately scored to restore the point differential. Cocksedge sent a wide pass to Brazier, whose quick hands put the ball in Woodman’s hands along the sideline, 28-12.
New Zealand also gained a major victory after Linda Itunu was yellow-carded in the 66th minute. Although the USA was able to turn over the ball – Hope Rogers in particular was poach-y – the Black Ferns kept the USA off the scoreboard and scored two tries. Woodman scored off a lineout, and then a major “learning moment” put the eventual victors in scoring position again. Some miscommunication between Tapper and Emba – who otherwise had a great day fielding and returning kicks – resulted in a knock-on. The duo halted play, while Stacey Waaka came flying on to kick off the ground and into the try zone. If it wasn’t for a knock-on in the grounding, Waaka would have scored right then.
Woodman scored four tries. / Photo: INPHO/Billy Stickland for World Rugby
New Zealand got its five points shortly afterward, as a kick-pass from Subritzky-Nafatali fell into reserve hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate’s hands for the try, 38-12.
Back to full strength, Brazier ended the game with a try of her own, cutting through the defense inside the USA 22 for the centered try, 45-12. The USA will feature in the 3rd-place match on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 12 p.m. Eastern.
USA 12
Tries: Thomas, Kelter
Cons: Kelter
NEW ZEALAND 45
Tries: Woodman 4, Subritzky-Nafatali, Brazier, Ngata-Aerengamate
Cons: Cocksedge 2
Pens: Cocksedge 2
USA
1. Catie Benson (Life West)
2. Katy Augustyn (Berkeley)
3. Tiffany Faaee (New York)
4. Stacey Bridges (Twin Cities)
5. Alycia Washington (New York)
6. Sara Parsons (Scion)
7. Kate Zackary (San Diego)
8. Jordan Gray (Life West)
9. Deven Owsiany (San Diego)
10. Kimber Rozier (Scion)
11. Kristen Thomas (USA 7s)
12. Alev Kelter (USA 7s)
13. Nicole Heavirland (USA 7s)
14. Naya Tapper (USA 7s)
15. Cheta Emba (USA 7s)
16. Sam Pankey (San Diego)
17. Hope Rogers (San Diego)
18. Nicole James (Houston Athletic)
19. Abby Gustaitis (NOVA)
20. Kristine Sommer (Seattle)
21. Kayla Canett (Penn State)
22. Tess Feury (Penn State)
23. Jess Wooden (Aylesford)
NEW ZEALAND
1. Toka Natua
2. Fiao’o Faamausili
3. Aldora Itunu
4. Eloise Blackwell
5. Charmaine Smith
6. Charmaine McMenamin
7. Sarah Goss
8. Aroha Savage
9. Kendra Cocksedge
10. Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali
11. Renee Wickliffe
12. Kelly Brazier
13. Stacey Waaka
14. Portia Woodman
15. Selica Winiata
16. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
17. Sosoli Talawadua
18. Aleisha Nelson
19. Becky Wood
20. Lesley Ketu
21. Linda Itunu
22. Theresa Fitzpatrick
23. Carla Hohepa
Referee: Alhambra Nievas