Zoe Harrison's last-gasp intercept try seals England win over Black Ferns in WXV rugby
A Zoe Harrison intercept try after the fulltime siren has snatched a gripping 26-19 win for world champion England against archrival New Zealand in WXV women’s rugby at Twickenham
LONDON -- A Zoe Harrison intercept try after the fulltime siren snatched a gripping 26-19 win for world champion England against archrival New Zealand in WXV women's rugby at Twickenham on Saturday.
England, on a 40-match unbeaten run, looked like taking a second consecutive draw at 19-19 after finishing with Canada 26-26 last weekend. But unlike Canada the No. 2-ranked Black Ferns chose not to kick the ball out and accept a draw and, instead, went for the win in the 81st minute from their 22 of an already classic contest.
But Harrison intercepted Amy du Plessis just 15 meters out from the New Zealand tryline and the crowd of 59,871 erupted in joy and relief while Harrison was buried under a pile of her teammates.
“I nearly suffocated,” Harrison told the BBC. “I was screaming for them to get off me because I still had to go and kick.”
She added the conversion only moments after her 43-meter penalty kick to win the game in the 80th minute fell well short.
“A little bit of luck in the end but I think you make your own luck,” England captain Megan Jones said. “We kept pressing, defense, we were relentless.”
Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen witnessed her first loss in eight tests this year but was proud.
“Particularly of Du Plessis,” Hansen said. “We didn’t want to go down as a draw after watching (Canada) last week and we were going to fight to the death, so I love that she threw that pass. She saw it was on and if it comes off (the result) goes the other way.”
New Zealand dominated possession and territory and led 12-7 at halftime but rued not finishing enough chances. Three knock-ons and two ruck turnovers stymied long blocks of pressure by the Black Ferns in the Red Roses 22.
Barrelling runs by No. 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, playing her first game in five weeks, and winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga, in her first game in three weeks, led New Zealand, while the Red Roses were spearheaded by No. 8 Maddie Feaunati and Jones.
England got an early let-off when a Leti-I'iga try was scrubbed off because she didn't release the ball in a tackle. England scored first instead when fullback Ellie Kildunne brushed off opposite Braxton Sorensen-McGee and gave winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald her fourth try this month.
New Zealand then spent 10 minutes in England's half and appeared to waste it until Du Plessis chased a clearance back to halfway, turned and kicked into empty space and beat everyone to the ball in goal.
New Zealand moved ahead after flyhalf Hannah King's dummy and break sent over Leti-I'iga.
England regained the lead after halftime at 14-12 when Jess Breach drew three defenders to let Kildunne slip away untouched around the corner.
While Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu was in the sin-bin for head contact that forced off Marlie Packer, England bulldozed New Zealand's seven-women scrum for Breach to score her 58th try.
The Black Ferns drew level with 10 minutes to go when winger Mererangi Paul scored from Du Plessis' floated pass.
France beats Canada
France used six lineout steals by newcomer Mouna Touré to top Canada 21-5 in La Rochelle for the first time since the 2022 World Cup. Fullback Emilie Boulard scored two of their three tries and made a try-saving tackle on Justine Pelletier to thwart a comeback by Canada, which rested Sophie de Goede for England's visit next month.
In Edinburgh, Australia beat Scotland 30-10 from 10-5 down at halftime. The Wallaroos scored three tries in eight minutes; the first from a rolling maul that cost Scotland's Evie Gallagher a yellow card. Australia ended a six-match losing run.
The United States defeated Wales 26-24 at Cardiff Arms Park. Wales edged a breathtaking first half but U.S. No. 8 Freda Tafuna scored a hat trick of tries, including the only points in the second half dominated by the Eagles.
South Africa rebounded from defeat in Wales to win in Italy for the first time, a 41-29 thriller in Pordenone. South Africa led 24-5 but Italy went ahead 29-27 with 15 to go. The Springbok Women needed a try-saving tackle by Maceala Samboya and a lineout steal before a late clinching try.
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