Ferns beat Canada to stay top

Canada's Magali Harvey scores a try during Canada's loss to New Zealand. (Dan Sheridan/INPHO via Rugby Canada)

Autumn series results

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Canada got second half tries from Magali Harvey and Laura Russell but three tries and the boot of Kendra Cocksedge propelled the Black Ferns to victory.

"We weren't consistent today," head coach Francois Ratier said. "We were able to scores tries but we gave away soft penalties. We were courageous, we never gave up but it just wasn't enough today."

After leading 8-0 at the interval thanks to a Selica Winiata try and Cocksedge penalty, Canada came roaring back into the game as Harvey got her second try in as many games as she raced away to touch down after Latoya Blackwood had intercepted a Black Ferns pass.

However, New Zealand answered immediately as replacement forward Aotearoa Mata'u powered over from close range to push the Black Ferns' lead to 15-5.

Canada's Brittany Waters was shown a yellow card in the 61st minute but the teams were back even just three minutes later as Eloise Blackwell was sent to the sin bin.

Canada made the Black Ferns pay immediately as from the resulting lineout, Russell peeled off of a driving maul to touch down in the corner to cut the lead to 15-10 with 15 minutes to play.

But again New Zealand hit back right away. After Cocksedge's penalty had missed, fullback Winiata carved Canada apart to touch down in the 68th minute to seal the Black Ferns' victory.

"We're not happy," captain Kelly Russell said. "We're disappointed with the way we came out and played. We didn't start playing our game until midway through the second half.

"The girls give it their all every minute of the game. We can't ask for more. We just have to be more switched on when he hit the pitch."

Canada:1. Carolyn McEwen, Burnaby Lake RC (Vancouver, BC) ; 2. Laura Russell, Toronto Nomads (Bolton, ON) ; 3. DaLeaka Menin, Calgary Hornets (Vulcan, AB); 4. Latoya Blackwood, Westshore RFC (Montreal, QC)  ; 5. Kayla Mack, Saskatoon Wild Oats (Saskatoon, SK) ; 6. Jacey Grusnick, Aurora Barbarians (Alliston, ON) ; 7. Karen Paquin, Club de Rugby de Quebec (Quebec City, QC) ; 8. Kelly Russell, Toronto Nomads (Bolton, ON) ; 9. Chelsea Guthrie, Stratchona Druids (Edmonton, AB) ; 10. Emily Belchos, Westshore RFC (Innisfil, ON) ; 11. Elissa Alarie, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC (Trois Rivieres, QC) ; 12. Andrea Burk, Capilano RFC (North Vancouver ,BC) ; 13. Alex Tessier, Montreal Barbarians(Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) ; 14. Magali Harvey, Club de Rugby de Quebec (Quebec City, QC) ; 15. Julianne Zussman, Castaway Wanderers (Montreal, QC)16. Julia Folk, Regina Rogues (Regina, SK) ; 17. Olivia DeMerchant, Woodstock Wildmen (Mapledale, NB) ; 18. Demi Stamatakis, SFU (Vancouver, BC) ; 19. Tyson Beukeboom, Aurora Barbarians/Cowichan RFC (Uxbridge, ON) ; 20. Barbara Mervin, Westshore RFC (Peterborough, ON) ; 21. Brianna Miller, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC (Pointe-Claire, QC) ; 22. Anais Holly, TMRRFC (Montreal, QC) ; 23. Brittany Waters, Meraloma Athletic Club (Vancouver, BC)

New Zealand: 1. Toka Natua; 2. Fiao'o Faamausili - captain; 3. Aleisha Nelson; 4. Eloise Blackwell; 5. Charlene Gubb; 6. Charmaine Smith; 7. Charmaine McMenamin; 8. Aroha Savage; 9. Kendra Cocksedge; 10. Kelly Brazier; 11. Renee Wickliffe; 12. Chelsea Alley; 13. Carla Hohepa; 14. Portia Woodman; 15. Selica Winiata16. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate; 17. Aldora Itunu; 18. Aotearoa Mata'u; 19. Sharnita Woodman; 20. Angie Sisifa; 21. Kristina Sue; 22. Janna Vaughan; 23. Hazel Tubic

Canada: Tries: Magali Harvey, Laura Russell

New Zealand:Tries: Kendra Cocksedge, Aotearoa Mata'u, Selica Winiata. Conversions: Kendra Cocksedge