New Zealand’s Black Ferns backed up earlier wins over Canada and world champions England with a final-day victory over USA in Edmonton to claim the inaugural Women’s Super Series title.
Jet-heeled Honey Hireme sprinted in for a hat-trick - to make it five tries for the tournament overall - on a day when Emma Jensen stepped off the bench to equal Anna Richards’ all-time appearance record of 49 tests for the Black Ferns.
“It was a great tournament overall,” said Hireme. “A 'big up' must go to all the rookies who came over and really lifted the benchmark as to what wearing the Black Ferns jersey means.”
New Zealand and the Women's Eagles had met twice last year at Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 with the Black Ferns winning both matches, and this was to be no different.
However, stubborn resistance from USA and a high penalty count from New Zealand made for an evenly-contested first half, the Black Ferns going into the break only one point in front at 15-14 after scoring three tries to the USA’s two.
Tries from Victoria Subritzki-Nafatali, Hireme, with her first, and Charmaine Smith accounted for the Black Ferns’ first half points. Kendra Cocksedge missed all three conversion attempts whereas Kimber Rozier was on song with both of hers after the USA hit back with tries for Hope Rogers and Kelsi Stockert.
Good footwork from Subritzki-Nafatali saw New Zealand open the scoring after eight minutes before the Women’s Eagles claimed the lead shortly after following a series of pick-and-goes which resulted in prop Rogers burrowing her way over.
Back came New Zealand, though, Hireme finding space out wide to finish off a sweeping backs move after a strong driving maul by the forwards had committed additional defenders.
New Zealand used their dominance at the lineout to score their third try, second-row Smith touching down after another maul, this time involving 10 players.
Much of New Zealand’s hard work was undone, however, when a sloppy turnover and a couple of missed tackles allowed Stockert in for the USA’s second try.
New Zealand drew first blood in the second half as 19-year-old centre Stacey Waaka showed great poise to hold the ball up and put Hireme away for her second try of the afternoon.
More pressure forced a penalty under the USA posts and Cocksedge finally discovered her kicking boots to slot the three-pointer and extend the lead to 23-14 after 53 minutes.
New Zealand’s fifth try arrived on the hour mark with a delightful set piece move which saw full-back Selica Winiata put Renee Wickliffe over in the corner. Cocksedge slotted the conversion from just inside the touchline for a 30-14 lead.
Emma Jensen's 64th minute entry into the game was met with a round of applause and no sooner had the New Zealand supporters returned to their seats they were back on their feet again to acknowledge Waaka’s maiden international try.
Replacement Janna Vaughan capitalised on another USA mistake at the lineout to cross for another Black Ferns try, before Hireme had the final say of the match with a stunning individual try from New Zealand's half to complete her hat-trick.
England finish second
World champions England finished the Super Series on a winning note with a slender 15-14 defeat of hosts Canada to finish second overall behind the Black Ferns.
England, who last played Canada in the World Cup final 11 months ago where they triumphed 21-9 in Paris, were held to a much closer game this time around and were left clinging on for victory in the dying minutes of the game.
Simon Middleton’s side ran in three tries to Canada’s one, but the host's centre Andrea Burk kicked three penalties only for her last attempt in the final minute which would have been the match-winner, to sail just wide.
“This was always going to be a tour of development and our aim was to take our game to the next level with this group. The USA, New Zealand and Canada are probably the three most physical sides in the world and we have come away having learned a lot about ourselves. We are moving in the right direction as we go through this rebuilding phase,” said England coach Simon Middleton, reflecting on the Super Series as a whole.
A good offload from Claire Allan to winger Kay Wilson saw England open the scoring after 14 minutes.
Canada pulled three points back with the first of their three penalties from the boot of Burk but again Wilson put Canada on the back foot with a second try and to give England a 10-3 lead.
Burk’s second penalty was all Canada had to show for a sustained period of pressure in the second quarter and England went into the break 10-6 up.
Canada picked up where they left off at the start of the second period and took the lead for the first time when centre Amanda Thornborough crossed in the 46th minute.
Replacement prop Amy Cokayne restored England’s lead in the 17 minutes later but Canada responded in positive fashion once again, and were rewarded in the 71st minute as Burk kicked her third penalty of the game after Carolyn McEwen was held up on the line.
Canada attacked for the final nine minutes, looking for the crucial score and were presented with an opportunity after the clock had ticked past 80 minutes. However, Burk’s penalty from 20 metres out sailed to the right side of the posts, giving England a one-point victory.
“We had a great performance today,” said Canada coach Francois Ratier. “The players stuck to the game plan and we highlighted the weaknesses of the English around the breakdown. I’m really proud of the players today.
“The game is on one kick at the end so that’s what it is. No one can blame the kicker or the team. It was a fantastic effort.”
