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France score shock win in San Diego Super Series
By Online Editors
The Black Ferns have suffered a shock loss to France in their Super Series clash in San Diego this morning.
For just the second time, France managed to claim victory over the Ferns, triumphing 25-16 despite having three players sent to the sinbin.
In one of their sloppiest showings, the Black Ferns couldn't produce a similar performance to the ones that had seen them claim victories over Canada (35-20) and the USA (33-0), being well beaten by the World No 3 side.
France are clearly a team on the rise, and despite having lost 36-19 to Canada earlier in the tournament, showed why they had toppled the Black Ferns 30-27 last year.
Despite that, the Black Ferns were poor, only narrowly avoiding their biggest ever defeat with a late consolation try, with captain Kendra Cocksedge left to rue a disappointing 50th test.
France had made eight changes after their defeat to Canada, and raced out to a 15-0 lead after just 17 minutes thanks to some nifty footwork from Caroline Boujard and some sloppy defence from the Black Ferns, as well as a bit of luck – dotting down after a penalty attempt hit the posts, with Maelle Filopon quickest to react.
A remarkable refereeing decision was to follow, with the TMO correctly overruling a yellow card decision against the French in a rare sinbin reversal, as France held an 18-6 lead at the break.
A superb counter-attacking try finished by Jessy Tremouliere, after Cocksedge failed to find touch with a penalty, made it 25-9, and although a rash of yellow cards saw France finish with 13 women, the only way the Black Ferns could score was through a penalty try, and that merely reduced the deficit to a non-historic margin.
The Black Ferns next have a bye in the Super Series, before they finish the competition against England next Monday.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
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It took a whole season to wash the Foster stink out to be fair. There's still been substantial change though. I think only 7 starters from the RWC QF v IRE started the IRE test in Dublin. This year wasn't the year for full innovation, transition needs to be balanced, & incremental. The new coaches will be able to stamp their full mark on the ABs from 2025 when Razor will select his first proper squad from a mega talented player pool. Exciting times ahead.
Go to commentsWhat on earth is Tele'a doing passing the ball away so quickly on his line break, like a fatty making a bust and trying to find a winger to give the ball to lol
The amount of inconsistency with the head contact law coming into the game. No red yesterday and no yellow today, but then another player gets a suspension for a side on headonhead (as apposed to these two sweet shoulders) contact last week. Happy if there is a referee change to having a bit more commensense.
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