Black Ferns too strong for Canada

Editor

New Zealand Women continued with their fine form when they claimed a deserved 20-10 victory over Canada Women in Dublin on Wednesday.

The result means the Black Ferns retain the number one spot in the World Rugby's Test rankings and they extend their winning streak over Canada to 12 Tests.

Full-back Selica Winiata was New Zealand's star performer as she crossed for two tries. Winitia's five-pointers were scored either side of half-time and the first try was followed by a penalty from Kendra Cocksedge which meant the Black Ferns led 8-0 at the interval.

Canada were fastest out of the blocks after the restart and narrowed the gap to three points via a Magali Harvey try. The Black Ferns replied courtesy of a Aotearoa Mata'u try but Canada, who are ranked second in the world, didn't surrender and soon trailed by five points when Laura Russell scored their second five-pointer.

New Zealand sealed victory in the 68th minute when Winiata scored her second try which Cocksedge converted.

The scorers:

For Canada:
Tries:
Harvey, Russell

For New Zealand:
Tries:
Winiata 2, Mata'u
Con: Cocksedge
Pen: Cocksedge

Canada: 15 Julianne Zussman, 14 Magali Harvey, 13 Alex Tessier, 12 Andrea Burk, 11 Elissa Alarie, 10 Emily Belchos, 9 Chelsea Guthrie, 8 Kelly Russell, 7 Karen Paquin, 6 Jacey Grusnick, 5 Kayla Mack, 4 Latoya Blackwood, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 2 Laura Russell, 1 Carolyn McEwen
Replacements: 16 Julia Folk, 17 Olivia DeMerchant, 18 Demi Stamatakis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Barbara Mervin, 21 Brianna Miller, 22 Anais Holly, 23 Brittany Waters

New Zealand: 15 Selica Winiata, 14 Portia Woodman, 13 Carla Hohepa, 12 Chelsea Alley, 11 Renee Wickliffe, 10 Kelly Brazier, 9 Kendra Cocksedge, 8 Aroha Savage, 7 Charmaine McMenamin, 6 Charmaine Smith, 5 Charlene Gubb, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 3 Aleisha Nelson, 2 Fiao'o Faamausili (c), 1 Toka Natua 
Replacements: 16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 17 Aldora Itunu, 18 Aotearoa Mata'u, 19 Sharnita Woodman, 20 Angie Sisifa, 21 Kristina Sue, 22 Janna Vaughan, 23 Hazel Tubic