Women's Super Series: Black Ferns too strong for USA

New Zealand's Black Ferns moved to the top of the table in the Women's Rugby Super Series in San Diego on Wednesday when beating host team the United States 33-0.

New Zealand dominated from the outset. They showed in their first two lineouts that their driving play caused all manner of defensive problems for the hosts and it continued throughout the game. 

From the second lineout the ball was driven at the line by the pack with lock Charmaine Smith, loose forwards Charmaine McMenamin and Pia Tapsell pouring in the hard work and when the ball emerged its was centre Carla Hohepa who was on hand to take a short pass from first five-eighths Ruahei Demant, who could have scored herself, to score.

Penalties and skills breakdowns conceded by the United States allowed New Zealand to pin them in their 22m area and again after more driving play it was hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate standing off on the blindside who scored the second after 12 minutes.

Up 19-0 at halftime, the Black Ferns attacked through the lineout again in the first moments of the second half with an eight-phase assault providing the chance for Tapsell to drive over.

Introduction of substitutes saw both sides take time to settle again but none more of an impact than Theresa Fitzpatrick who at her first touch took a gap and raced 40m downfield.

Full match report via All Blacks