Pool B: Ferns fall to amazing Irish

USA 47 Kazakhstan 7 (Pitch 3, 13:00)

A brave performance by the Kazakstanis, but the USA eventually ran away with this game scoring five second half tries.

The game began with ferocious start by both teams with Kazakhstan defending well against sustained American pressure. This resulted in an early penalty, but the Americans surrendered a certain three points for an attempted try. The catch and drive however was well defended by Kazakhstan and within a minute the game had switched focus with Anna Yakoleva intercepting a pass and sprinting away 50m to score. Converted by Daurembayyeva, Kazakhstan had an early 7-0 lead.

Within seven minutes USA were on the board with a try in the far corner from Nathalie Marchino, but the Kazakhstanis kept their lead as the conversion was missed.

The terrific battle continued, with USA mainly on the attack, with the Kazakhstanis always threatening to break out. Eventually the pressure told and on 28 minutes Vanesha McGee was in at the other corner, and seven minutes later the dancing feet of Marchino almost took her in for a second try. She was stopped on the line, but Kittery Wagner was on hand to touch down. 15-7 was the half time score.

USA raised their game noticeably at the start of the second and within three minutes extended their lead, Akalaini Baravilala brushing through the Kazakhstani line before laying off to Hannah Stolba who touched down under the posts. Three minutes later it was Lynelle Kugler’s turn to find a gap, with Emilie Bydwell on hand for the try. 29-7 to the USA.

Kazakhstan were somewhat unlucky with the next score, just before the hour. After USA dropped the ball, Kazakh then fumbled on the floor and the team seemed to stop anticipating a scrum, but no whistle came, and Sylvia Braaten was in at the corner.

Meya Bizer came on just before the hour, and was soon in action. Tackled 5m short on the left, she was there again when the USA won the resulting lineout, darting through and creating an overlap for Braaten to score, making it 39-7. As the game entered the final 10 minutes Stolba then added a penalty. With the Kazakhstanis noticeable tiring Owsainy broke through next, putting in Rozier for the final try.

USA: 1 Naima Reddick, 2. Kittery Wagner, 3. Sarah Wilson, 4. Laureen Daly, 5 Sharob Blaney, 6. Shaina Turley, 7. Lynelle Kugler, 8. Kate Daley (C), 9. Deven Owsiany, 10. Hannah Stolba, 11. Nathalie Marchino, 12. Sylvia Braaten, 13 Emilie Bydwell, 14 Vanesha McGee, 15. Akalaini BaravilalaReplacements: 16 Katy Augustyn, 17 Jamie Burke, 19 Sarah Walsh, 20 Kimber Rozier, 21 Sadie Anderson, 22 Meya Bizer

Kazakhstan: 1 Irina Radzivil , 2 Natalya Kamendrovskaya , 3 Yelena Muradova , 4 Lyudmila Matiyeva, 5 Svetlana Karatygina , 6 Symbat Zhamankulova, 7 Kundyzay Baktybayeva, 8 Marianna Balashova , 9 Amina Baratova , 10 Anna Yakovleva (C), 11 Lyudmilla Sapronova, 12 Balzhan Koishybayeva, 13 Oxana Shardina, 14 Nigora Nurmatova , 15 Aigerym DaurembayevaReplacements: 16 Olga Bakhitiguzina, 17 Yelena Rogacheva , 18 Yelena Kiryushina , 19 Karina Proskurina , 20 Anastassiya Khamova , 21 Lilya Bazuaruk, 22 Olga Sarzonova

New Zealand 14 Ireland 17

Ireland made history by beating the Black Ferns - inflicting a first loss on New Zealand in a World Cup since 1991 and blowing the tournament wide open.

Ireland are almost guaranteed a semi final berth now while New Zealand could face England in the semi finals.

The first 40 minutes were played at an astonishing pace – and almost all of it in the New Zealand half. Ireland soon made it clear that they were not remotely overawed to be taking on the world champions for the first time ever, and put the Ferns under huge press from the first minute.

However, New Zealand are not champions without a good reason, and they absorbed everything that came at them. After about 14 minutes Ireland had a chance to go ahead with a penalty, but this was missed with just one person in the large crowd unfortunately failing to support the silence for the kicker Niamh Briggs.

Soon after Briggs had another chance, but his time there was a change of tactics and the ball went into the corner. The Ferns were ready for the maul, but it still took Ireland to within touching distance of the line. With the big Irish contingent in the crowd backing their side, Ireland hammered on the New Zealand doo but without effect. An Irish scrum sent the New Zealand pack backwards, and only a penalty stopped Ireland. From the next scrum the ball worked its way to the right wing, where Heather O’Brien was tackled into touch by the flag.

Then New Zealand broke out, won a penalty, and  Kelly Brazier scored. Despite everything Ireland were behind.

New Zealand extended that lead minutes later, in period of play that will no doubt result in Irish coach Phil Doyle having words with his team, New Zealand found themselves with a three on one overlap and Winiata was in at the corner.

A drinks break allowed Doyle to speak to his team and soon we were back to business as usual, with Ireland back on the New Zealand line. But, despite having Briggs down receiving attention, the remaining Irish women kept the pressure up and O’Brien was driven over to score. Briggs was now up, and added the extra points.

New Zealand were not finished, however, and were soon on the Irish line – but Ireland defended well and the whistle went for the break.

New Zealand came out of the blocks in the second half like a team reborn – and Ireland were going to have to defend hard. Soon they extended their lead, with a simple penalty for Brazier, but the Irish were putting in try saving tackle after try saving tackle. Every time a break seemed on, a green shirt appeared from no-where to cut them down.

It was a quarter of an hour before Ireland were back in the New Zealand half, but there had been no further addition to the score. Alison Miller achieved the vital turnover and Ireland were on the attack. Then came the moment, Briggs ghosted through the Ferns line – and there was Alison Miller to her left. Once she had ball in hand there was no stopping her and she was in at the corner.

Ireland 12, New Zealand 11 – with Briggs taking a vital kick from the touchline… which went over. Now there was a three point gap.

The lead did not last long – soon a Brazier penalty had brought the teams level. 14-14, with barely a quarter of an hour left.

Crucial moments now were two Fern clearance kicks – both going straight into touch. From the second one, the ball was won by Ireland, moved wide, and from the resulting ruck a penalty awarded to Ireland. Briggs slotted it perfectly – and Ireland were 17-14 ahead with just seven minutes left.

Most of those final minutes were in the New Zealand half, and as the clock ran down Ireland were the team that seemed most likely to score. The final seconds were counted down Ireland were right on the New Zealand line, and as soon as the clock went to zero the ball was in the crowd.

Ireland had won. 17-14. Their first win in their first game against the Black Ferns – and the Ferns first world cup defeat since 1991.

New Zealand: 1 Kathleen Wilton, 2. Fiao'o Fa'amausili(C), 3. Aleisha Nelson, 4. Eloise Blackwell, 5 Jackie Patea, 6. Rawinia Everitt, 7. Linda Itunu, 8. Casey Robertson, 9. Emma Jensen, 10. Kelly Brazier, 11. Honey Hireme, 12. Amiria Rule, 13 Huriana Manuel, 14 Renee Wickliffe, 15. Selica WiniataReplacements: 16 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox, 17 Ruth McKay, 19 Justine Lavea, 20 Aroha Savage, 21 Claire Richardson, 22 Shakira Baker

Ireland: 1 Fiona Coghkan (C) , 2 Gillian Bourke , 3 Ailis Egan , 4 Sophie Spence, 5 Marie Louise Reilly , 6 Paula Fitzpatrick, 7 Claire Molloy, 8 Heather O'Brien , 9 Tania Rosser , 10 Nora Stapleton , 11 Alison Miller, 12 Grace Davitt, 13 Lynne Cantwell, 14 Ashleigh Baxter , 15 Niamh BriggsReplacements: 16 Sharon Lynch, 17 Fiona Hayes , 18 Laura Guest , 19 Siobhan Fleming , 20 Larissa Muldoon , 21 Jenny Murphy, 22 Vikki Mcginn