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ENG vs NZL
International Women's Rugby
Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), London
England
vs
New Zealand
24
FT
12
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 24 - 12
Both sides will ramp up their preparations for the WXV1 tournament that begins in Vancouver in a fortnight. The Red Roses will meet the USA in the opening match before the Black Ferns lock horns with Ireland later on September 30. Stay with Tribe for all the action. This is Anthony Morgan signing off.
England had a number of solid performers but none more so than Alex Matthews who carried strongly off the back of the scrum and had a high work rate throughout the contest. Marlie Packer provided good support in the pack while in the backs Tatyana Heard and Ellie Kildunne were standouts with quality distribution to the edges. Kildunne for her part made a handful of breaks that kept the Black Ferns' defence on high alert.
The Black Ferns will take plenty out of their second half showing which they claimed 12-7. New Zealand were strong in patches throughout the contest with Ayesha Leti-I'iga lighting things up on the right wing with four line breaks. Katelyn Vaha'akolo came out with a points win over Abby Dow in a pulsating match up on the left wing while at halfback, Maia Joseph impressed with a number of nice kicks in behind the line.
England extended their winning streak to 17 matches with a solid 24-12 win over New Zealand at Twickenham. Leading 17-0 at halftime, the Red Roses extended their lead almost immediately after the resumption as Natasha Hunt dummied her way over to score next to the posts. The Black Ferns hit back in the 53rd minute when Sylvia Brunt sprinted through to regather a Katelyn Vaha'akolo chip kick before she dished an offload back to Vaha'akolo, who palmed off one defender on a 22m run to score in the corner. Sharp hands by Maia Joseph and Ruby Tui put Vaha'akolo over for her second on the hour mark as the Black Ferns threatened a famous comeback. The Red Roses were too experienced to let that happen however and they held firm in the final quarter to seal a deserved 12-point victory.
80+1'
Du Plessis takes it up in the midfield before Holmes puts in a deep kick into space down the left edge. It dribbles into the in-goal where Harrison forces it as the siren sounds. There won't be time for the dropout as England hold on for a 12-point win in a competitive encounter at Twickenham.
79'
England shift it wide to the left but they make an error in contact 40m out. The Black Ferns swing it left to Sae who is tackled by Dow who rushed up and in. Play breaks down soon after and the referee will bring us back for a scrum for New Zealand after a long advantage.
78'
The Black Ferns take clean possession in the lineout and swing it into the midfield where Tukuafu takes a solid carry. England's defence holds firm as New Zealand shift it from side to side without making much ground. Rule takes a carry where Talling is penalised for not rolling away. Holmes fails to find touch near halfway.
77'
Matthews takes it off the back of the scrum before Kildunne is cut down on the left. England work through a few phases in the forwards before Harrison pops in a nice kick to the right that bounces into touch 15m out.
76'
Mikaele-Tu'u takes a strong carry in the midfield as New Zealand inch it forward over halfway. Tui takes a carry on the right before an errant shift left sees Rowland stream through to hack it ahead. The Black Ferns race back to dive on the loose ball but a knock on on the ground gifts England a midfield scrum 27m out.