Black โขFerns โDominate Ireland,Assert worldโฃ Cup Credentials
A commanding performanceโ saw the Black Ferns defeat Ireland,securing top spot in their โpool and sending a clear signal of theirโ Rugby World Cup ambitions. The victory avenged aโ 2024 โloss to Ireland – their first in three tests – and sets up a quarter-final clash with Southโ Africa.
Despite having marginally less โpossession and notable time defending in their own territory, the โBlack Ferns’โ relentless defense prevented ireland from โscoring. The team’s tackling was particularly impressive, achieving a โ91%โ success rate with five players recording double-digit โฃtackles, led by Maiakawanakaulani Roos’ 19 flawless tackles.
On attack, โthe Black Ferns showcased their firepower. Braxton Sorensen-McGee continued her impressive form โwithโ a hat-trick, running for over 100 meters, while Sylvia Bruntโข led the teamโ with 12 โฃcarries. Renee Holmes effectively integrated into the attack, and the โฃteam’s kicking game โคprovedโ accurate.
“What I learned โคabout our team isโข that we can go โall day,” said Black Ferns player Joan tukuafu.”Whateverโข teams throw at us,we’ll give it even more. โWe’ll be fast to get back into position to haveโค another go or make another tackle, drive themโข back โขsomeโค more, and, at the end of โคit, turn the ball over hopefully.”
Tukuafu, who transitioned to a โฃbench role after โstarting against Japan, contributed substantially to the defensive effort late in the game. The Black Ferns’ win followed France’s โvictory overโข southโฃ Africa, confirming their quarter-final opponent.
Acknowledging the lingering impact of theโฃ 2024 defeat, Tukuafu stated, “As much as we didn’t focus on that, it was in theโ back of the girls’ minds โthat played. So, that was a niceโ statement, but it doesโ show that we were just simply playing to our โขpotential. We’ve got strike weapons all over the field and,when we kicked it,there was just that โdesperation to go and getโค it back and score some tries.”