09/26/26 11:46:00
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09/26 11:45 CDT Zoe Harrison's last-gasp intercept try seals England win over
Black Ferns in WXV rugby
Zoe Harrison's last-gasp intercept try seals England win over Black Ferns in
WXV rugby
LONDON (AP) --- 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.
Harrison added the conversion only moments after her 43-meter penalty kick to
win the game in the 80th minute fell well short.
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, put
England on its heels, while the Red Roses were spearheaded by No. 8 Maddie
Feaunati and captain Megan 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.
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