https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-585×968
There are those who will just look at the score and assume that Hong Kong got thrashed, but that is far from the whole story. The Black Ferns are bigger, stronger, faster and in Portia Woodman have a former Rugby 7s Player of the Year and scorer of 142 tries. Hong Kong’s backline are not the only players to have only seen the back of Woodman’s shirt as sprints past to score.
Yes it was a second heavy defeat, but that disguises a strong hard working committed performance by Hong Kong, typified by Jessica Ho’s try saving tackle in the in-goal area. Natasha Olson-Thorne’s darting runs and resolute tackling and Chong Ka-yan almost grabbing an intercept try which would have been fine reward for her performance.
Coach Jo Hull was obviously disappointed with the enormity of the margin, but wasn’t surprised by just how good the Black Ferns were.
“We played against world-beaters and when they got the ball in in their hands and moved it wide, we just couldn’t stop them,” Hull said. “Credit to them, they came on and played the game they wanted to play, but at the same time, I was proud of our girls.”
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-VdbVkPz
On the scoreboard it was all Black Ferns from the word go, with Carla Hohepa crossing within the first minute of the match to set the ball rolling for her side, who are ranked second in the world and, along with England and Canada, are among the favourites for the tournament.
New Zealand raced to a 57-0 lead by the half-time break, with Portia Woodman scoring two first-half tries before exploding in the second half to finish with eight. Kendra Cocksedge was on target from the tee and converted 13 of her side’s 19 tries, while Theresa Fitzpatrick scored two tries, but it wasn’t all negative for Hong Kong.
“I think that we caused them a few problems at the breakdown and we survived the scrum, which was a big one for us,” Hull said. “We did a lot of our basic jobs OK, but you can’t play against a world-class team like that without making mistakes.”
“We held the ball for three or four phases and then they forced an error with their physicality. But we enjoyed it out there and I think the crowd were with us again and that’s given us so much encouragement and energy, it’s been great.”
For a period after half-time Hong Kong held their own against their all-conquering opponents and kept them scoreless while creating some attacking opportunities of their own.
“I think again Ka-yan was good, she’s a little pocket rocket, she just keeps getting up,” Hull said. “She’s a professional rugby player and that’s what her job is and I expect her to be able to do that.”
“I think Royce did a good job today at hooker, she was relentless and at times I think Kelsie did well again with her ball carrying and defensively. Tash gave us some good go-forward and gain-line, which was good.”
With the score at 69-0 at the 59-minute mark after Hong Kong had slowed the Black Ferns’ scoring but as their exertions told and the team tired. New Zealand went on a spree that netted eight tries in the final 21 minutes with five of the eight scored by Woodman alone.
After playing two of the top three sides in the world, Hull is hoping that, along with strengthening their defence, Hong Kong can start to express themselves a bit more with ball in hand. ‘We haven’t done much attacking and when we do have the ball we need to look after it,” she said.
While the scoreboard was worse, this was much improved team performance with Jo Hull and the forwards (mostly) solving their power / weight disadvantage in the scrums with quick feeds and pick-ups by the number 8. Hong Kong still don’t look like troubling the scoreboard… but hopefully they can change that against Wales on Thursday.
No report on this match would be complete without mention of the massive band of travelling Hong Kong fans who loudly kept cheering the team on throughout. And the respect shown by New Zealand who clapped and sang Hong Kong off the pitch at the end of the game. Respect!
Watch the full match here: https://www.facebook.com/worldrugby/videos/10154917134928123/
Hong Kong stare down the Haka:
https://www.rwcwomens.com/video/270761
New Zealand Sing and Clap Hong Kong from the Pitch:
https://www.rwcwomens.com/video/270858
Additional reporting: HK Rugby
Photos: World Rugby, HK Rugby, Tommy Dickson
