BRIGHTON, England — New Zealand produced a press release Girls’s World Cup victory with a 40-0 dismantling of Eire on Saturday.
In arguably essentially the most anticipated conflict of pool play, the Black Ferns rose to the event. Eire had been spirited, however in the end no match on the day for the five-time champions.
Eire accepted the problem of New Zealand’s haka, stepping forwards earlier than either side held their floor in a tense stare-off which solely whipped the pro-Eire crowd into a much bigger frenzy.
“The larger they’re, the more durable they fall,” one Irish fan remarked earlier than kick-off. However there was to be no large slaying in Brighton.
Eire had been visibly pumped up and got here out quick, dominating the opening minutes however had been unable to attain factors, letting New Zealand off the hook.
The Black Ferns remained composed and scored their first strive on the 15-minute mark. Eire fly-half Dannah O’Brien failed to seek out contact from a penalty and New Zealand rolled ahead.
The ball fizzed out to Stacey Waaka on the best and the surface centre darted over to attain, beautiful her opposition.
Moments later, that they had a second. Chryss Viliko charged over from shut vary after a lineout.
New Zealand confirmed why they’re the World Cup masters, taking advantage of their alternatives and piling strain on in a matter of moments. Eire’s afternoon went from unhealthy to worse when fullback Stacey Flood was carted off injured, her proper leg strapped in a brace.
New Zealand continued to win the important thing moments. Their assault was too slick and gamers too fast.
18-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee added her facet’s third strive shortly earlier than the break, choosing up the ball 30 meters out on the best wing, she beat three Irish defenders in an impressive show of her uncooked tempo and talent.
In a close to mirror-image of the primary half, Eire had the higher of the opening exchanges within the second, nevertheless it was New Zealand who scored first.
Once more, the ball went to the best with Sorensen-McGee left in house to walk over the road. Eire had been resilient, however nonetheless could not discover factors of their very own.
They’ll take so much from the match, however got here up towards the ruthless machine that’s the Black Ferns who had been simply too medical.
Sorensen-McGee accomplished her second hat trick in as many video games with two minutes to play. This time she danced down the left wing after one other effectively labored transfer. The Auckland winger is quick changing into the breakout star of the match.
If Eire thought it was lastly over, they had been unsuitable; New Zealand had one final transfer within the financial institution.
Jorja Miller broke down the best wing and offloaded to Maia Joseph who scored after the 80 minute mark.
Extra ruthlessness from the Kiwis and one other conversion from Renee Holmes took it to 40-0.
