England v New Zealand: Abby Dow stars in Red Roses' comfortable win over world champions Black Ferns
Published 14/09/2024 at 19:33 GMT+1
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England soundly beat world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. The Red Roses found themselves 24-0 ahead and fended off a second-half fightback from the Black Ferns as Katelyn Vahaakolo scored twice to put England on the back foot. John Mitchell's side held on for a comfortable win, however, in a potential dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup final.
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England cruised to a comfortable 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand, firmly positioning themselves as favourites for next year's Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Over 40,000 fans at Twickenham were treated to a resolute defensive performance from John Mitchell's side and a clinical showing on the offensive side.
The victory extended the Red Roses' winning run to 17 - their last loss coming against the Black Ferns in the World Cup final in 2022.
New Zealand were on top for the opening 15 minutes but failed to convert their pressure into points and it was England who struck first through their trusted rolling maul.
Marlie Packer dotted down in the 18th minute for the hosts as she gripped the ball while England's maul charged towards the line with little resistance.
Abby Dow, who was threatening for the opening half an hour, added the Red Roses' second score 12 minutes after Packer's try with some potent running out wide. A miss-pass to the winger let her burn past opposite number Katelyn Vaha'akolo and she scored unopposed.
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The hosts then added their third of the first half through quicksilver fullback Ellie Kildunne, who managed to score by the tip of her fingers after being tackled just shy of the line.
It saw England head into the changing rooms 17-0 up and firmly in control.
After scrum-half Natasha Hunt added England's fourth just two minutes into the second half, New Zealand got on the board shortly after the 50th minute.
Vaha'akolo, who had been repeatedly picked off by Dow in defence, showcased the attacking threat she can be as she pounced on a kick-through that had Emily Scarratt scrambling at the back.
The Kiwi winger added her second of the day nine minutes later and with 20 left on the clock, signs were tentatively pointing to a Black Ferns comeback.
Mitchell's side hung on and the 24 straight points they had accumulated proved to be too much for the world champions to overcome.
But it is perhaps a testament to the lack of match time that Allan Bunting's side had in the run-up to this fiercely contested game.
They last played in July, fending off rivals Australia with a 62-0 win, but errors and a disconnect in defence had seeped into their game in the time since.
Regardless, the game was still a potential dress rehearsal for the World Cup final next year. The two sides have met in the last two finals with New Zealand prevailing in both.
Despite that, England will likely spend the next 12 months as favourites for next year's spectacle, especially if they can defend their WXV1 title in Canada later this month, after beating France in Gloucester last weekend.
The Black Ferns and the Red Roses will clash again next month as they meet on October 6 in WXV1.
Watch and stream every game of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season, the 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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