TWICKENHAM, London — England swept previous world champions New Zealand with a 24-12 win at Allianz Stadium on Saturday to file their second straight win over the Black Ferns.
It was an announcement win for England forward of the upcoming WXV 1 match in Canada and, extra importantly, subsequent yr’s World Cup on house soil.
Each side confirmed glimpses of their free-flowing, attacking greatest within the cagey opening exchanges, however decision-making and errors stopped both crew from gaining actual momentum. That was till England confirmed their energy on the breakdown, successful the ball again inside New Zealand’s 22 earlier than driving in the direction of the road with a fierce rolling maul for the opening attempt, scored by skipper Marlie Packer on the 20-minute mark.
New Zealand will lament unforced errors that meant they could not execute their most clear-cut probabilities early on. England had been responsible of their very own fumbles, which coach John Mitchell will search to handle forward of WXV 1, however they rapidly went on to dominate with appreciable scoreboard strain.
Winger Abby Dow, who had a sensational afternoon, stormed down the suitable touchline after half-hour, leaving New Zealand defenders in her mud as the house facet scored their second attempt.
Whereas New Zealand would have been itching for half-time, England grew into the competition because the minutes ticked by. The group received their want as Ellie Kildunne broke via the road, stretched out an arm and planted the ball below the posts for England’s third of the match as they took a 17-0 lead into the break.
They picked up precisely the place they left off after the break because the Black Ferns coughed up one other error within the opening play of the half and England pounced via scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who crossed the white line simply two minutes after the restart, earlier than fly-half Holly Aitchison transformed to increase the result in 24-0.
The guests received their first factors of the afternoon within the 53rd minute as Katelyn Vaha’akolo discovered house to attain on the left wing, and the 24-year-old winger added a second virtually 10 minutes later, which was transformed by Renee Holmes to chop England’s result in 12 factors.
Nevertheless, it was a day when the hosts seemed unplayable at occasions, and though they’re going to be striving for higher with New Zealand probably to enhance within the coming weeks, there’s rightfully loads of optimism across the Pink Roses. The 2 sides will meet once more in week two of WXV 1 on Sunday Oct. 6 in Langley, Canada.
