Check out the Red Roses player ratings vs New Zealand as John Mitchell’s England were impressive winners against Black Ferns at the newly named Allianz Stadium.
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England claimed victory in the first match at Twickenham since the stadium’s naming rights were sold to insurance giant Allianz, with 41,523 fans in attendance.
Despite early pressure from the Black Ferns, England held firm and took control with three first-half tries from captain Marlie Packer, Abby Dow, and Ellie Kildunne. Scrum-half Natasha Hunt added a fourth with a clinical finish, though New Zealand’s Katelyn Vaha’akolo responded with two late tries for the visitors.
Scroll down for the Red Roses player ratings vs New Zealand
Red Roses player ratings vs New Zealand
15. Ellie Kildunne 7.5
Happy to kick to the back field instead of returning a kick in the early goings, unlike the start against France. Missed tackle on Ayesha Leti-I’iga at 10 minutes, but had Breach to cover. Made a key hit on Leti-I’iga shortly after, with the ball knocked on in contact. Read the Black Ferns attacking lines well, into the match, demonstrated top class scanning to cover across the back-field. Slinked her way past a sea of black jerseys to score, despite clattering into the post protector. Millimetres away from her second try at 48 minutes, with Sylvia Brunt beating her to a loose ball in the in-goal area.
14. Abby Dow 8
Flew out the line with a big hit to set the defensive tempo. Phenomenal line break at 25 minutes, to get England out of their own 22 and down into the All Blacks red zone, as she hurdled a tackle to stay in field at 25 minutes. Great cover defence, not biting in on the overlap of Black Ferns, communicated excellently with Kildunne to dismantle the attack. Scored a stunning try to make it 10-0 at 30 mins, as Dow skipped along the right wing around Katelyn Vahaakolo and exploded away at pace.
13. Emily Scarratt 7
A big day for Scarratt, upon her 100th start for the Red Roses. Carried into heavy hits from the onset and made a key hit on Sylvia Brunt at nine minutes to recover a line-break. Had her clearance kicks charged down on her 5m, thankfully England had an advantage to play with the possession retained. Excellent tackling around the midfield, with Scaz’ defensive work shining after so much pre-match focus on her attack.
12. Tatyana Heard 7.5
Following up on last week Player of the Match performance against France, Heard made a key intercept after 12 minutes to clear her own 5m line. Helped England withstand boundless early pressure. Like Scarratt, Heard showcased her defensive strengths with stunning midfield tackles on the dangerous line breakers Brunt and Ruahei Demant. The powerful carries would routinely spilled the ball, thanks to the physical presence of Heard. Great little pass to Scarratt’s 35th minute break, with the Loughborough star halted close to the try-line.
11. Jess Breach 7.5
Made a try saving tackle on Vahaakolo at eight minutes, as the eighth minute line break steps passed Kildunne. Breach followed this up with epic turnover as well, in a stunning piece of defending. Breach backed her footballing ability to send kick chases along the touchline. Just unable to gather Aitchison’s cross-field kick, with the try-line beckoning at 27 minutes. Inches away from a sure-fire try at 35 minutes, as a Black Ferns hand knocked the ball out of Breach’s reach.
10. Holly Aitchison 7
Confident to claim the high ball in the back field. Kept a clam head when clearing her lines for England, as the Black Ferns lost the ball in dangerous positions throughout the first 20 minutes. A couple of poor kicks didn’t find touch, with England forced into plan B off of a mis-placed penalty. Orchestrated the play nicely throughout the backs but put too much on a cross-field kick to Breach.
9. Natasha Hunt 7.5
Kept up with the relentless pace of the England attack, and in defence as she barked orders to her forwards. Knocked on the ball as England started their first real attacking break at 14 minutes, and missed a tackle on Leti-I’iga, who hit top speed. Hunt kept the Red Roses momentum rolling after the half-time break, as the scrum half sniped to score from close range a minute into the 2nd half.
1. Mackenzie Carson 7
Held her own up front with a solid scrummaging effort against the Black Ferns tight-head Tanya Kalounivale. More than happy for the Red Roses to opt for a scrum at a penalty or free kick decision, as the loose-head showcased an impressive effort when the sides packed down. Received some medical attention after a heavy clash on her nose from a flying yet accidental Black Fern.
2. Lark Atkin-Davies 8
Inch perfect line-outs, Atkin-Davies forced the Black ferns to encroach on the England line-out and give away penalties. Kept the set-piece’s working like clockwork, with the Red Roses pack trundling over for Packer’s try. Given a talking to by the referee ahead of the final scrum of the half, as England had over eagerness to clear the ball. Gave away an unforced penalty at 45 minutes, as she flew off her feet at the ruck, and allowed the Black ferns to clear their lines. Given the task of closing out the match, as Amy Cokayne withdrew with an injury in the last eight minutes.
3. Sarah Bern 7
Made her return to the starting XV after last week’s comeback from injury off the bench. Bern made a thunderous hit on Chryss Viliko after 3 mins, and then made her first of many big downfield breaks. Like her front row colleagues, Bern fatigued towards the end of the first half after a relentless 40 minuets of scrummaging, with the referee talking to the two packs. Nice tip offs to Aldcroft from close range kept the ball alive in dangerous positions.
4. Zoe Aldcroft 7
Zoe Aldcroft was sporting some head tape after a heavy collision with Marlie Packer in Red Roses training this week. She ruled the sky with her West Country telepathy with Lark Atkin-Davies’ line-out throws. Excellent turnover in the air at the 22nd minute, as she out jumped Maiakawanakaulani Roos for a steal. Lost the following line-out at the back of the line, in her first error of the game. Awesome midfield turnover at the ruck at 33 minutes to win possession. Sent to the sin bin just before the half-time break for illegal work at the ruck. Great charge down at 55 minutes, kept the pressure on the Black Ferns try-line.
5. Abbie Ward 7
Returning to England duties from a leg injury, and was impressive at the set-piece. Given the nod to bring the fight from the start, as she earned a return to the starting xv. Strong scrummaging and solid in the air, as Ward set-up Packer’s try with her line-out gather and present. Made solid yards around the park with the ball, but Ward’s best work was in defence. Routinely clattered into the Black Ferns heavy-hitters, and ended the match bearing the war wounds.
6. Maddie Feaunati 7
Following up on her first start last weekend, Feaunati took on some of her former teammates from her time in New Zealand. The back row was unfazed from the personal magnitude of the match as she clustered into collisions. Made a great turnover at the breakdown at 17 minutes, to stop the Black ferns exit, that set the foundations for England’s opening try from the rolling maul. Withdrawn with an injury at 53 minutes, which John Mitchell has confirmed to be a severe case of calf cramp.
7. Marlie Packer (C) 7
Fearsome chop tackles flying in from the England captain, as the skipper pulled no punches in this test match with the old rivals. Packer got England on the board following their first visit to the Black Ferns 5m, as the Saracen grounded England’s revered rolling maul. Emptied the tank in a proud performance at the back row, and once again vacated for a debutant. Packer left the pitch for Georgia Brock’s debut, after the captain was replaced for Lilli Ives Campion’s debut a week prior.
8. Alex Matthews 8.5
An all round awesome performance from today’s Player of the Match, as the back row started and ended the match with all guns blazing. Matthews began proceedings with a thunderous line break after six minutes, and was able to muscle the Red Roses out of dangerous pressurised situations with picks from the back of scrums. Brilliant defensively as Matthews ran riot around the Black Ferns, bringing each and every black jersey she could to the deck.
16. Amy Cokayne 6
Instantly recognisable during the national anthem, as the RAF Servicewoman stood to attention and disconnected from the rest of the England players. A stunning break broke free of the Black Ferns at 67 minutes, with the hooker finding Rowland in support. Forced off with an injury in the last eight minutes, as Atkin-Davies returned.
17. Hannah Botterman 7
A huge initial involvement as the replacement front row won a penalty off their first scrum. Some real dents were made in the Black Ferns armour, after the introduction of Botterman from the bench. The England and New Zealand fans winced at some of the collisions involving the Bristol Bears prop.
18. Maud Muir 7
Like Botterman, Maud Muir’s involvement as the new front row were immediatly felt at scrum time. Muir’s clattering collision at 68 minute sent echoes around the Allianz, with the prop on a mission with some brutal carries.
19. Morwenna Talling 6
Brought into the match slightly earlier than initially expected, following the injury to Maddie Feaunati. Carried well to make the hard yards, and covered the pitch with tireless defensive work.
20. Georgia Brock 6.5
Made her England debut off the bench at 69 minutes, and received a massive ovation from the Allianz faithful as she replaced her captain. Looked clam as ever on the pitch, despite the enormity of the occasion against the Black Ferns.
21. Lucy Packer 6
Given the task of maintaining the attacking momentum, and commanding her defensive line in the final 10 minutes.
22. Zoe Harrison 6
Sent Aitchison to 12 for the final 10 minutes, as England reshuffled the back-line in Scarratt and Heard’s absence.
23. Helena Rowland 7
Brought on to add fresh wheels, and immediately broke down the field into a dangerous position. Rowland supported the charging run of Amy Cokayne, to pin the Black Ferns back on their 5m at 67 minutes.