Scotland women earn historic moment against New Zealand but final score shows quality of Black Ferns

Dave Butcher’s side were able to hold their own in the WXV Global Series fixture against the mighty Black Ferns in patches throughout the 80 minutes and that resulted in two tries for Evie Gallagher. However, the gulf between the teams was also evident for large parts and too many of the scores the away team were able to run in were fairly straightforward.

It only took them two minutes to get the first try as Evan Donaldson and Lana Skeldon together couldn’t stop the sheer power of Mo'omo'oga Palu who punched through the defensive line and strolled over. That power was on display again as Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu was the next to barge through two defenders from close range after some lightning quick passing in the build-up.

Evie Gallagher scores Scotland’s first ever try against the Black Ferns

The hosts finally got their hands on the ball to attack with as Chloe Rollie went from 22 to 22 after an intercept and break up the wing before full-back Braxton Sorensen-McGee closed her down. The Scots went on to win a penalty in the next few phases which they sent for the line out and then got the rolling maul moving.

They were patient in their build-up and, with penalty advantage, Gallagher eventually dived over from close range to score her nation’s first ever try against the Black Ferns. It was a surprising ray of hope for Dave Butcher’s side but it was soon extinguished with a good passing move from the visitors finished in the corner by winger Justine McGregor.

Another score soon followed as New Zealand turned the ball over from a Scotland attack and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a fended off Ceitidh Ainsworth before the inside pass put Elinor-Plum King in for their fourth. The hosts weren’t taking it lying down though and Mel Smith’s break put them in the five meter zone and they soon had the penalty advantage again.

More patient build up resulted in another clinical finish with Gallagher going over from close range for her and Scotland’s second of the afternoon. The Black Ferns responded with a fifth and this time it was Layla Sae who, like her teammates before her, used her power to barge through the Scotland line.

The next try came from some excellent support lines as another clean passing move saw centre Amy du Plessis receive the ball in space to cross over. That made the score 14-38 at the break.

New Zealand show Scotland the level they must aspire to in commanding WXV Global Series win

The visitors started the second half as they ended the first with 19-year-old replacement Amarante Sititi, only on the pitch for two minutes, handing off Holland Bogan on her way over the line. Two minutes later another score came as Layla Sae got the offload away in contact to the supporting Tara Turner.

Another two minutes passed and another try came for New Zealand as Palu carried and offloaded to Sae for her second. From that point the pace of the game drastically slowed down and Scotland had some promising entries into the visitors 22 but couldn’t turn that into more points.

The visitors ended the match with one last score in the final play as Alena Saili put them over the 60 point mark. Scotland women will be back in WXV Global Series action again next weekend as Australia visit the Hive.

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