Check out the Red Roses player ratings vs New Zealand as John Mitchell’s England beat the Black Ferns for a third consecutive time since the World Cup final.
By Will Gupwell
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The Red Roses backline send their team flying to a second victory in WXV1 as New Zealand face their second defeat of the tournament.
It was a fast start from the reigning world champions as they brought a fierce intensity right out of the gate with a try on the board in the first six minutes from Olsen-Baker.
But as ever, the lethal Red Roses responded immediately as all three players in the prolific back-line went over for tries, with Kildunne even getting two before the break, giving the Red Roses a ten-point buffer heading into the sheds.
Dow got another early in the second half, followed by a solo charge down and score by Natasha Hunt on her 75th cap and Breach who got her second.
Whilst New Zealand were finally able to finally go over again from Georgia Ponsonby and Maiakawanakaulani Roos, it wasn’t enough as Breach was able to complete her hat-trick, and replacement Zoe Harrison also got on the board.
There was a consolation try at the final whistle from Maama Vaipulu however the game was truly done.
Player of the Match- Ellie Killdunne
- Hannah Botterman 8
On the occasion of her 50th
cap, Botterman was crucial to the front-row dominance for the Red Roses. Earning their side scrum penalties galore, including the one at the 23-minute mark where they absolutely decimated the New Zealand pack, driving them back at a rate of knots.
- Amy Cockayne 7
The experienced Cockayne was dependent as ever especially at set-pieces with the lineouts, on the whole, running like clockwork.
- Maud Muir 9
Whilst the entire starting front row were standouts for England, the Gloucester Hartpury prop was perhaps the pick of the bunch, pairing her work at scrum time with some monstrous carries, topping the count for England with 12 despite going off at 53 minutes.
- Zoe Aldcroft 7
Aldcroft was her usual work rate machine, doing the dirty work for the Red Roses as she got around the park with immense effort around the breakdown and in defence.
- Abbie Ward 6
Just like her partner in the second row, Ward was, as always immense, controlling the set piece for her side and topped the tackle count with an impressive 15.
- Morwenna Talling 5
Quiet performance from the blindside flanker doing some of the unseen work for England. She had no real standout moments, however it is difficult with the calibre of the pack that surrounds her.
- Marlie Packer (c) 6
Packer was confidently quiet in her performance, leading her side and clearing up mistakes when it was needed whilst still managing to get through her usual standard of work around the park.
- Alex Matthews 7
The immense Matthews, as ever, was breaking through tackles and carrying hard as per her usual immense work rate, making an impressive 14 tackles.
- Natasha Hunt 7
Hunt may started the match by being run over for New Zealand’s first try by number eight Olsen Baker. However, she controlled the pace of the game nicely when England were in the red zone and did brilliantly for her own try, making the charge down and scoring all by herself.
- Holly Aitchison 7
The fly-half kicked out of hand well, putting her side into the right positions. However, there was a crucial missed kick to touch, which allowed New Zealand to launch their attack for their second try. Nevertheless, in attack, she controlled the Red Roses with some lovely handling, opening space for her backline.
- Jess Breach 9
One of England’s star-studded back three, Breach got her hat-trick starting with an easy try in the corner as well as assisting with Kildunne’s second try with a nice basketball pass back inside. She got her second in the second half, finishing off a nice break by Dow and a third by beating off the tackle of Ruby Tui. Her prolific finishing was just too much for the Black Ferns to handle.
- Tatyana Heard 7
Heard went off with a HIA at twenty minutes but returned back to the midfield; however, it wasn’t her strongest game in a white shirt, struggling to find fluidity and making the odd mistake. However, it was some brilliant work on Abby Dow’s second try to take the ball to the line and draw the defence.
- Helena Rowland 7
The Loughborough Lightning centre was certainly lively with the ball in hand, but off the tee, missed conversions that in a tighter affair could have been crucial in a tighter match. Overall, she complimented the backline well and allowed them to shine.
- Abby Dow 9
The clinical winger was at her normal best even against the reigning world champions, starting the game with a strong finish for England’s first try as well as a slick finish with the turn of pace for her second and assisting one Breach’s, she had another game to remember.
- Ellie Kildunne 9
Ellie Kildunne just seems to get better and better in this stand-out performance just showed it. She was controlled under the high ball and chose smart kicking options; however, it was her attacking prowess that showed, scoring the Red Roses the third and fourth tries as well as breaks in open play all over the park.
- Lark Atkin-Davies 7
Atkin-Davis came off the bench and continued Cockayne’s excellence with consistent darts at the set-piece and another strong performance, including some smart defensive reads.
- Mackenzie Carson 7
The dominance of the Red Rose pack by no means dropped off with the replacement front row as Carson continued the good work paired with yet more dominant carries.
- Sarah Bern 7
Just like Carson, there was no drop-off in intensity from the replacement pack, and Bern was another important presence.
- Rosie Galligan 6
With a 15-minute cameo, the Saracens lock fought hard defensively especially in the final set of phases trying to defend her line.
- Maddie Feaunati 7
Despite an early missed tackle when she came onto the pitch, which led to a Black Ferns break up the middle, the Chiefs’ back row impressed with a turnover and some crunching hits off the bench.
- Lucy Packer 6
Packer kept up the pace of play that Hunt had driven throughout the match when she came on.
- Zoe Harrison 8
Getting in on the action of the starting back line with a try of her own, Zoe Harrison continued the attacking prowess of the Red Roses the entire game.
- Emily Scarratt 7
Even on her 115th
cap, Scarrett oozes class. Coming on early for Heard’s HIA and then coming off must have been difficult; however when she returned permanently to the field, she had some nice involvements, including the kick-in behind, putting the Black Ferns under pressure.