In their last match of the 2014 World Cup the Women Eagles held tough for the first 20 minutes before eventually succumbing to a very strong New Zealand team 55-5. It was a disappointing end for the Women Eagles but they can head home knowing they played very attacking rugby while losing to the Black Ferns twice and the very surprising Ireland.
The U.S. came out active early and nearly had a quick try from Lynnelle Kugler but the pass was judged to have gone forward. They kept a lot of possession after that and when New Zealand had the ball they stayed strong defensively. However, it was just a matter of time before the Black Ferns scored and as they grew into the game they eventually saw a big run from Amiria Rule lead to a Aroha Savage try with 15 minutes gone.
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Both teams had trouble getting a rhythm throughout the first twenty minutes as play was very stop start. However, the tide had definitely turned toward New Zealand by this point and it was no surprise that they picked up another try through Rawinia Everitt. Missed tackles from the U.S. were the culprit on that try. The conversion missed leaving the score at 10-0.
It was the small errors that continually hurt the Eagles. If it wasn't a knock-on it was a forward pass that killed a solid attacking platform. Those mistakes and chances left wanting would be punished by the Black Ferns with a brutal stretch of three tries in 10 minutes to end the half. It was all simple passing and play from the Black Ferns as Shakira Baker scored the first try, Selica Winiata the second, and Honey Hireme the third.
The U.S. tried to pull a try back before the half. Vanesha McGee made a huge break that put the Eagles close to the line. Both Hope Rogers and Sarah Walsh crashed over at different times with claims for a try but the referee ruled the first held up and the second not clear. The Eagles then knocked it on to end the half. 31-0 to New Zealand at the break.
In the second half New Zealand picked up right where they left off with Hireme scoring her second to make it 36-0. The U.S. did have a moment of brilliance in the second half when Kimber Rozier was in the right place at the right time to intercept a Black Fern pass and go in for the score almost untouched. That made the score 36-5.
The match slowed down after that with New Zealand well in control. Hireme got her hat-trick followed by a try from Aleisha Nelson to make it 50-5. Then with only minutes to go Hireme scored her fourth try to make the final 55-5.
With the World Cup complete the attention in the women's game will now shift to the Olympics. Expect several players from the Eagles to switch to focus more on making the Olympic team and trying to earn a medal.