The Black Ferns finished their season with another strong win over France, ending the first year of the Whitney Hansen era with 10 wins from 11 games.
There was some great attacking early on, which was highlighted, although the execution lacked consistency and left the game in the balance until the second half. The bench then stepped in and finished the job, as did all series.
Here’s how they rated it.
1. Chryss Viliko – 7
After a strong first scrum, the New Zealand the pack was unable to assert itself in the match, but for the most part it set up a stable platform for the attack. Viliko had three missed tackles in the first half alone, and while she’s typically one of the game’s most enthusiastic players, her opportunities were few and far between in Christchurch.
2. Georgia Ponsonby – 8
Ponsonby was a smart and efficient operator at the breakdown at One New Zealand Stadium, winning an early penalty when her side was under the pump. Her instincts to shoot off the line defensively also came into focus early on, and she maintained that level throughout her 63 minutes.
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu – 8
The former No. 8 looks like she could pull Dan Sheehan and move back into the backline for a game if needed, carrying the ball with tremendous power in center court. Her 13 carries were tied for the most in the match, and she continued her habit of having the most dominant tackles.
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos – 7.5
The Kiwi engine shop roamed Christchurch, solving everything and hitting every problem. Roos’ physicality was felt defensively, while her carry was a mixed bag. The New Zealand line operated at 94 percent, while France succeeded with only a 62 percent success rate.
5. Laura Bayfield – 8
Bayfield let France know she was in New Zealand early on, and she remained a diligent defender throughout her minutes. A true performance of the engine room from the lock, which provided many of New Zealand’s best moments.
6. Mia Anderson – 7.5
Anderson made an immediate impact on her return, keeping the French over the line in the first two minutes. She didn’t escape the attention of the referee’s whistle, but made up for her off-the-ball handling with strong support at the breakdown and some strong catches.
7. Elinor-Plum King – 8
The rookie star was busy in defense early on, fighting back with a French ball after the break to get the ball back for her side. King was present in the physical exchanges, and finished the match with the most tries of any Kiwi.
8. Liana Mikaele-Tutu – 7
Mikaele-Tu’u was one of a dozen Black Ferns guilty of turning the ball over in the Test, a theme that consistently hurt the hosts after generating plenty of progress with clever attacking shapes. Her carry saw her collapse over the line of scrimmage without generating many post-contact yards.
9. Maia Joseph – 7
The game got away from the back at times in this one, slowing down New Zealand’s roll in what was at times a frantically fast Test.
10. Ruahei Demant – 8
The Kiwi captain was quick to take charge after a poor batting performance last week in Whangarei, and has quickly brought more variety to the attack in Christchurch. Although she was guilty of an early throw-in, Demant orchestrated a brilliant trick play that saw the French defense offside on the line and set up what was perhaps the best try the Kiwis have scored all year. The playmaker then scored a try-assist on a cross. Her running expertise then saw her break the line and provide the break assist which led to her team’s second try.
On the other hand, there were several missed moves as the first defender off the bench, several lost turnovers and several shots that went directly into the French backline.
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga – 7.5
Leti-I’iga led the game in line breaks and beat more defenders than any Kiwi on the park. The winger didn’t always get the ball from space to move, but she made the right call to cut across the field to find her support.
12. Logo-I-Puluto Lampu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt – 7
Brunt’s running lines in New Zealand’s midfield were a major ingredient in the team’s success in breaking through the French line early in the first half. The 22-year-old didn’t need much in defense and left the field in the 54th minute.
13. Amy Du Plessis – 8
After sitting out last week without concussion, the hometown kid has enjoyed a big Test start. Even when the running lines got a little tricky, Du Plessis had the strength to keep her feet and as a result made two line breaks in the first half. Her defensive instincts in the central channel snuffed out several potential French chances, while her 67th-minute cross-field effort set up a try for Mereranga Paul. The center led the game with three turnovers.
14. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a –
The biggest star of this series, Tuliau-Tua’a, was on hand with the pace to wrap up New Zealand’s first try. Her second five was more about strength than speed, but she had had enough of that as well. However, her 63rd minute yellow card for a high tackle was less “Shylight”.
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee – 8
Class: Braxton Sorensen-McGee has it all. And after a relatively quiet start to this series in Hamilton, the 20-year-old has looked like the best full-back on the planet in the last two weeks. Although one of her tries was disallowed in Christchurch for a forward pass, she still had more points than the French team on her own.
reserves –
The bench made a quick statement in the match, Hannah King broke the line immediately after entering the game and Maddi Robinson finished the game a few phases later.
