Confident Black Ferns earn semi-final berth

New Zealand 41 Wales 8

By Nic Evans

New Zealand wrapped up a semi-final berth with a confident victory over Wales.

The victory meant that the Black Ferns go straight through to the final four where there are now two games standing between them and a fourth World Cup title in a row.

New Zealand started the game well pinning Wales into their own 22 quickly with sustained pressure and Wales leaked the first try out wide from Kelly Brazier after just six minutes.

Superb handling among the backs led to the ball being spread the width of the pitch to winger Halie Hurring, who danced around the Welsh defence. Rebecca Hull provided much needed support and was rewarded with the second try under the posts, which she converted.

Wales ploughed forwards into the contact area throughout and New Zealand failed to cope with being heavily penalised for numerous infringements at the breakdown, leading to number 8 Linda Itunu sitting out 10 minutes in the sin bin. Non Evans slotted one of the resulting penalties for Wales.

The scrum and lineout were eagerly contested, with both teams unable to secure 100% ball retention at set play.

Wales eventually turned sustained possession into a score before half time with a try out wide by winger Carryl James, which full back Non Evans failed to convert

The score at halftime was 17-8.

The second half saw New Zealand step up the pace. The backs ripped Wales apart with outstanding running lines and just minutes in full back Kelly Brazier scored out wide, quickly followed by tries scored out on the touchlines by both wingers.

The momentum picked up by the go forward ensured New Zealand maintained sustained pressure and enjoyed plenty of possession.

New Zealand rang the changes with twenty minutes to go. Star of the tournament Carla Hohepa entered the backline at outside centre alongside Anna Richards at 10 and Emma Jensen at 9 and Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox joining the front row.

The offloading and support play proved too difficult for Wales to handle and second row Monalisa Codling was next to score, breaking through the centre to score left of the posts, simply converted by Kendra Cocksedge.

This was a comprehensive win by the Kiwi team who demonstrated clinical passing skills, however there seems to be chinks in their armour. NZ were consistently penalised for ill-discipline at the breakdown and that may be a source of concern ahead of the final games of this competition.

SeeHEREfor the match details.