Red Roses win WXV1 with commanding victory over New Zealand
John Mitchell's side ran in five tries to secure the 33-12 victory and claim the inaugural WXV1 title in Auckland
Tries from Alex Matthews, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Morwenna Talling and Zoe Aldcroft secured the victory as New Zealand responded with scores either side of half time through Kennedy Simon and Katelyn Vahaakolo.
The win confirmed England as WXV1 champions following their three victories over the course of the tournament. They began their campaign with a 42-7 win against Australia before triumphing 45-12 against Canada in Dunedin last week.
It was one way traffic in the opening quarter; The likes of Tatyana Heard and captain Marlie Packer drove their Red Roses' teammates deep into Black Fern territory in the opening exchanges, punching holes in the defence and working their way into the opposition 22. Their early pressure paid off in the fourth minute when Matthews crashed over the line from a scrum for the first try of the evening.
Atkin-Davies went over for the second try, her fifth in two games, from the base of a well-formed lineout maul before Bern's powerful effort from close range earned her side a further five points.
Ellie Kildunne came within millimetres of a miraculous try on the half hour mark; The full back looked to have made a sensational pickup and finish from a Holly Aitchison kick to the right corner, but her effort was ruled out for a foot in touch.
The Black Ferns finally found fortune in the closing minutes of the first half with their opening try through co-captain Simon. Ruby Tui's pace down the right wing created a defensive overlap, and quick ball down the line opened the gap for the flanker to dive over the line. Renee Holmes converted to shorten the Red Roses' lead heading into the break.
New Zealand looked to start the second half just as they finished the first, by spreading possession wide and looking to exploit defensive gaps in the outside channels. Their efforts were soon rewarded when replacement Vahaakolo dived over the left wing.
Talling scored the fourth try of the evening as England's scrum dominance punished the Black Ferns pack. The blindside flanker's bonus point-securing try was followed up by a similar effort from Aldcroft in the 69th minute. With a 21-point lead heading into the final ten minutes, the game was all-but-won.
The sounding of the final whistle confirmed the victory, crowning the Red Roses as champions of WXV1 and marking an unbeaten calendar year of rugby for the England Senior Women's side. The focus now shifts to the Women's Six Nations 2024 as they aim to defend their Grand Slam title.
TEAMS
Red Roses
15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Abigail Dow, 13. Helena Rowland, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Claudia MacDonald, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Natasha Hunt, 1. Mackenzie Carson, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Rosie Galligan, 6. Morwenna Talling, 7. Marlie Packer (C), 8. Alex Matthews
Replacements
16. Connie Powell, 17. Hannah Botterman, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Sarah Beckett, 20. Maisy Allen, 21. Ella Wyrwas, 22. Megan Jones, 23. Jess Breach
Black Ferns
15. Renee Holmes, 14. Ruby Tui, 13. Amy du Plessis, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt, 11. Mererangi Paul, 10. Ruahei Demant (CC), 9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 1. Kate Henwood, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Amy Rule, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Chelsea Bremner, 6. Alana Bremner, 7. Kennedy Simon (CC), 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
Replacements
16. Luka Connor,17. Krystal Murray, 18. Sophie Fisher, 19. Layla Sae, 20. Lucy Jenkins, 21. Iritana Hohaia, 22. Patricia Maliepo, 23. Katelyn Vahaakolo
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
WXV
Red Roses 33-12 New Zealand
