HIGHLIGHTS | Black Ferns v England (Exeter, 2021)

The Black Ferns have played their first Test match in over two years, but it didn't exactly go to plan against England at Exeter's Sandy Park.
Credit: Sky Sport NZ
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[@ianthompson3229]

Someone tell me why this is not being broadcast on a main sports channel? The skill level. The physicality. The athletisism is awesome. Time to give these outstanding sportswomen their due.

[@samd1361]

Some great skill there, The way the Abs played the springboks how much would they loose to that England team by

[@leghdavies5255]

First women's match I have ever watched - wow - absolutely fabulous -the pace and handling was tremendous - I'm now a fan !

[@jackweta]

womens rugby coming of age impressive performance by england & a huge wakeup call for nz. impressive well coached side england

[@jessechristie1172]

That and dozens of more game time. Was bloody good watch

[@craigtwose4226]

From a kiwi...congratulations to England on an impressive win. Totally outplayed and dominated the kiwis in all aspects of the game. NZ had no plan, no communication and no idea on what to do. They looked like beginners.

[@samuel8265]

I was at the game as a England fan I was expecting a tough game and a entertaining one England played well I imagine NZ will play better next game Hopefully we can win women's world cup in NZ

[@mikeminno5956]

@@samuel8265 Have another pint mate.

[@samuel8265]

@@mikeminno5956 I wasn't drinking there I probably typed my comment too fast on my mobile lol

[@Rotavegas1]

2 years no international rugby?what did you expect

[@georgemohetau6056]

Dam those English girls looked good 👍 mean gas in the backline

[@canadiancontent352]

Judging by the highlights England looked much fitter and overall better prepared

[@couldbemm9475]

that'll happen when you dont play for two years lol

[@niallsheehan474]

England are full time professionals

[@kiwi1lad]

England have a proper comp. 10 team. Linked to big clubs. Much better set up then NZ (England is the largest union), nz have only just got 4 women super teams. NZ also had a bunch of youngsters. Good game from England! Looked fit.

[@canadiancontent352]

@@niallsheehan474 are they still? I thought the program was dropped, but I was thinking that while watching...

[@peacelove5370]

Highlights will only show what looks good go watch full game. The real winner of the game is the ref. Yip black ferns wasn’t going to win by the look of things but the ref definitely made it worse for the black ferns

[@stanleycolene]

This was great to watch! I can't wait for women's rugby to become even more popular

[@joatmofa0405]

I also thoroughly enjoyed watching this - great entertainment!

[@TheBlackJersey]

What a game from England!

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

Thank you for facing us after two years without a proper test, showing your team has no fear for whoever they face😁

[@samuel8265]

@@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart shame we didn't have men's side this year as well

[@KiwiPepega]

@@samuel8265 England always avoid playing the AB's whenever they can.

[@lK-ec3uk]

@@KiwiPepega And when they cant (rwc 2019) they just beat the living shit out of them

[@samuel8265]

@@KiwiPepega I read somewhere NZ wanted half the revenue from ticket sales to play England at Twickenham the RFU refused that and Tonga stepped in to play England instead

[@maverickmak]

England and France have raised the bar over the pandemic. They've been knocking lumps out of each other for 2 years, whilst NZ haven't been able to play. The Black Ferns will get better with gametime, but they've got a lot of catching up to do before the world cup.

[@sidknee4975]

They’ll get their mate if history is anything to go by.

[@vinniechan]

Europe came out of lock down a fair bit earlier and had a head start

[@erinpaul5762]

2022,they're baaaaaaaaack

[@interlinga]

I’m sure next week’s encounter will be closer. Was at Sandy Park today and great too see both sets of fans applauding each other’s tries. Really enjoyable match to watch.

[@fliksc9786]

it was

[@robw7676]

​@fliksc9786 it wasn't - the Black Ferns record loss 56-15 came the following week.

[@wantsumbread9586]

Really good crowd turned up

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

Indeed you don’t realise how much you miss something once it’s no longer around

[@aaronlaity9297]

The crowd was amazing i was there today the atomsphere was great

[@Dazzzz4]

@@aaronlaity9297 Its really good to see alot of fans there supporting womens rugby there

[@andrewlovell116]

It was great being in the crowd today. New Zealand played their part and looked quite dangerous at times but their line out was a disaster, to the extent that penalties into the strong wind in the second half were either tapped or a scrum was opted for rather than kicking for touch. Given the lack of playing time for the NZ team recently this game will have removed some rust and I suspect the second game will be closer fought. All in all, though, well done to both teams for a very entertaining game. Thank you!

[@ross4061]

The Best Team Won 🥇🥊 Congratulations 🎉🎉! The English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Team Looked 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ultra Fit! From New Zealand 🗽🗽

[@rfggibson]

New Zealand totally outplayed in all departments. No excuses. Well done Red Roses.

[@josephalan7686]

Not playing for 2 years, while your opponents have been training and playing since the 2019 world cup. I think is a pretty good excuse 😂 Congrats too the England Girls tho 👏

[@koolgai1442]

No Woodman and Brazier or Winiata, and a few other key speedsters, for NZ and a lot of new players too, however well done NZ, well played after a long time with no international playing time. Leti’iiga was outstanding and an exciting player to watch

[@mathieuguillet4036]

This new English side is looking damned near unbeatable! Very impressive.

[@stevehughes1510]

That was a good old thumping, England played great. Good to see a lot of spectators.

[@josephalan7686]

So was the Men's AB's against Wales, but I never saw you on there commenting 🤣🤣 Congrats too the Woman's England Team 👏

[@mikeminno5956]

@@josephalan7686 Well Steves English.........great win from the girls.

[@stevehughes1510]

@@josephalan7686 You're about that Hohepa, but in my defence I don't speak the Welsh language that well!!

[@stevehughes1510]

@@mikeminno5956 Kiwi mate. The Ferns will get it together again in a game or two.

[@kiwiviking175]

Awesome! Simply awesome! You go girls!

[@BobMaori]

well done England, hard luck sisters, next time hopefully, yous still the world Champs

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

Thanks mate, hopefully the fern’s shake off the rust because it has been a while since they’ve really been tested by a world class team, good luck all round for the next test 😁

[@aicragmar6630]

Que de talent, de vivacité, d'opportunisme et de réalisme dans cette équipe anglaise ! Probablement ce qui se fait de mieux dans le rugby féminin actuel !

[@piccolo_nz1142]

These English women are something else, from the tight forwards, loosies to the fullback each have high level rugby IQ and they are skillful, atheletic and there fast players are FAST 😲

[@hohepateika1]

Credit where credits due, great win England. Far too good and clinical. Lots of talented players. Keep your heads up Black Ferns, welcome back to real Test Rugby. That's the bar to meet, but I know the loss will hurt and you'll come back stronger.

[@mikeminno5956]

Agree

[@jonchess8844]

Line out needs work I feel. Not playing competitive matches for so long showed today. If England had been more accurate it would have been even worse for New Zealand.

[@desmondallindrallintscmint7479]

Englands no. 11 had got some wheels! Good game and good result for England.

[@georgetanga6757]

Pity about the result but awesome to see the support for the woman's game with a packed ground!

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

England girls showing dominance in the win and backs, the fern’s were definitely rusty so hopefully we get some of that rust shaken off for the next test, the closer games are easily more nail biting well done ladies🌹

[@stoneleighful]

Congrats English Roses from NZ - well deserved win - to our girls, heads up girls oxo

[@ronaldauch3574]

I gotta admit that these ladies play very good basic rugby without unnecessary contacts and foul play.Kudos to both sides👏🏾

[@Aids183]

Congrats England on a awesome win, much deserved xx. To my Kiwi girls Im still proud of you all keep grinding and take one game at a time. Respect

[@wiz4469]

Dose of reality for Black Ferns, good quality rugby

[@patriciatutaki3322]

The best team won on the day. England was so well drilled, very fit, had a comprehensive game plan, and just looked sharper all over the park ... NZ must relearn that this is a "team game", so everybody has to do their bit ... like getting match fit ... doing the basics well ... defending and attacking as a team ... well done England

[@angijnr1002]

Looking forward to the next test

[@KernowekTim]

Never thought I'd say it but, "Brilliant English display." The New Zealanders were out-played by an impressive Red Roses squad. The mantle of Black Ferns XV invincibility was removed this day. Oooops!

[@MrWillt100]

Don't kid yourself Jim cause we can only get better.

[@KernowekTim]

@@MrWillt100 The result proves my point about the aura of invicibility tag, Wiremu. And "Yes", they can only improve on this performance. My observations are based on fact. seeing IS believing, and I need not resort to spectacles yet. The Black Ferns Monday meeting was 'interesting' too I reckon. " C'mon you Ferns. You simply must win the next matches". Best of luck y'all.

[@KernowekTim]

@@MrWillt100 Not so. In fact you went to the wall . Better luck will come in time though. New Zealand Womens Rugby will 'steady their ship'. Good luck and best wishes!

[@mojeelutunauga7734]

Awesome entertaining game👏🏽

[@nicholascraigen8856]

Outstanding result!

[@andreslopez-ho4ww]

What a performance!!!

[@poerava]

Well done England. Heads up Wahine Toa. Valiant effort. Wonderful lessons learned. We’ll be better for this experience at the World Cup and will bring it home once again.

[@jebimasta4604]

That kick pass for the first NZ try: *chefs kiss*

[@SuperflySamurai88]

WOW, not the result I was hoping for. Looks like England have a very good team.

[@nielspeter9692]

Impressive England backline

[@aranui_kidnz7103]

Number 14 had a shocker.

[@rugby_jtizzle]

Not bad for a first test match in a loooonggg time. England def looks great. You can tell they’ve been playing and working their systems out. Looking forward to the girls improvement!

[@baileygilbert4766]

Really not bad???, Cause the NZL team was so bad that they totally got outplayed by the English team.

[@richardmatatahi4563]

@@baileygilbert4766 but improved and got better defeat would come for England, wirh a change of coaching staff & management and a lot of hard work.

[@emilydavis745]

England are so slick, skilled and fast... it's just not fair, but congratulations Red Rose's.

[@dallaswatene4073]

awesome ladies...

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

After the first few minutes of the highlights that was a very surprising score line!

[@georginapaki9328]

Good game England smashed us some good old fashion reality for the Blackferns alot to learn from this game now we know the standard we have to be at to succeed Goodluck next time girls ☆☆☆

[@raysavage829]

Good win England from NZ🤙

[@phil-zz5hk]

congrats girls . great win .

[@garethwatkins6347]

Love watching the game great result just cut out a few errors for next week well done red roses

[@swoopy287]

That was an awesome game... well done England

[@salenawaaka6258]

Beautiful rugby. Well done England. Running those clean lines. Nz some serious work to do in every area of the game.

[@jeanpierregriffier5590]

Beatifull rugby england no French women beatifull rugby

[@geoliner]

Well played England. Tremendous result.

[@zornslemmon2463]

Great play-by-play call.

[@seanyshepfit]

Stacey Fluhler is so good. Runs great lines and has good fend on her 🤟

[@natxo29]

NZ number 6!!! My Godness!

[@elena16350]

Excellent game, mostly, New Zealand we’re definitely short of match practice, they were not bad 2 years ago, will be closer next week, when hopefully Woodman will be playing.

[@ldfreitas9437]

Seems this game was quite entertaining, unlike a lot of men's matches!

[@lesiba5382]

I’ll definitely be watching women’s rugby from now on.

[@julianbristow3466]

Black Ferns - "Too much weight work, not enough speed work". Well done England!

[@martinruffell4077]

Some serious gas in this red roses backline. Scary to defend against

[@aloneinthechronosphere8942]

The skills and fitness of womens rugby is incredible now. Great to see.

[@ldfreitas9437]

I agree. Also, there are more mistakes made than in the men's game overall, which opens play up more. There was lots of quick ball, and the backs had some room. Great to see backs running at pace onto the ball when passed, not standing still waiting for a pass.

[@dboy6579]

yo they got smashed

[@chadraynes6183]

English number 15 is a weapon

[@KofzWick]

Congratulations to the england women’s team good win well deserved

[@craigmccullough7333]

This was not the Black Ferns! It was a Sunday pub team that had got a collection of black jerseys and shorts from a Halloween costume supplier.

[@another4189]

Thats a good one lmfao

[@georgetetai4415]

Woah, smashed! Can't see the girls winning any games on this tour. Not enough games under the belt sadly.

[@brassmanjeh4335]

Congratulations to the Ferns No.6 for scoring on debut

[@aksouthauckland92]

Wow red roses put it on them lol hard luck black ferns come back stronger next game 🔥

[@haggismuncher429]

Well done England! See us Scots do support you occasionally! Seriously good performance.

[@jaredwilson28]

Wow that’s great for women’s rugby & a real reality check for the black ferns. England look fitter & more athletic. I read that since NZs last test match, England have played 26 😳….can someone confirm this?

[@robw7676]

Not that many, but have played regularly - 18 tests since they last met the Black Ferns in the US summer series in 2019, the Black Ferns played twice more after that, so the gap is 16 tests. NZ have got England again next week, then 2 against France. England VS France has been the Red Roses most frequent test since they last played the Black Ferns with the Red Roses just edging all 7 meetings, often only by a couple of points, so the next 3 tests for NZ will be a decent yardstick.

[@samuel8265]

England ladies been playing six nations matches past few years even with covid going on won grand slam like three times and have played quite a few test matches

[@GreatGreenGaming]

what was up with the yellow? seemed like a pretty standard offece

[@bobmathieson987]

Speedy Bursts of Energy the winning tactic along with a weak defense and recovery by the Black Ferns. Congratulations Red Roses, well deserved decisive Win.

[@khanpaniora5346]

congratulations to England, you were more prepared for this match than the black ferns women rugby team were

[@nickyork8901]

Dow and Kildunne have real pace.

[@MrChristbait]

I know nothing about women's rugby, I've recently found out we're "pretty good"!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@natnut2008]

Thank goodness NZ won when it counted, in the rugby world cup final.

[@georgieboi097]

well done ladies

[@sensah3978]

0:49 she should’ve just kept running

[@touyube2470]

0:48 lol if Karen wasn't so busy asking to see the manager she could have scored then

[@southernfriedkiwi6340]

Yep. Play the god damned ball, not the whistle.

[@Keza82]

Yep absolutely, kinda summed up NZ attitude

[@user-gk7mz9cy5z]

That was quality and enjoyable viewing. But some of those passes looked to be forward, ref and touch should do better.

[@rowenatui6795]

Dat was sad Black Ferns ur passing, running, tackling it looked like pannick stations out dere on da field, lets hope MORE improvement next test game.But Congratulations Red Roses outstanding performance.

[@archvermin]

Darn, well played England. Gave us a hiding.

[@thefirechannel6606]

Great result for women's rugby Full crowd great to see Not good enough from the black ferns will be interesting series

[@neelsgerber7587]

Why was this Test not played at Twickenham?

[@thomasmain5986]

You can fill the ground at Exeter, the home of the red roses, Twickenham you would struggle to get the same size crowd, and the stadium would look empty.

[@maverickmak]

@@thomasmain5986 Also, reaching fans around the country is good for growing the game.

[@mariuskoen1]

Wow, the girls getting quite good

[@jayaustin8091]

Unlucky lady's 💙💙💙 bounce back. Use got this.

[@jonathanv9068]

That’s a under 15 team from NZ

[@baileygilbert4766]

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 seems got New Zealand 🇳🇿 number in Rugby Union at the moment in both of male & female games, But congrats 🥳 to the English team tho they outplayed my NZL team.

[@hannotn]

Gee, the Black Ferns defence was pretty bloody leaky down that right hand side. Need to sharpen up (and number up)

[@papaluskask999]

Bad luck girls. You need to win upfront before you throw it along backs. Game is won in forwards & backs by how much. Good luck for next tests.

[@xleiloh9502]

England girls to classy for our ones. England got a gangster team 👌

[@stevemathews9535]

Great result for the Red Roses. I'm looking forward to seeing the whole match However, I think that in picking his strongest team Simon Middleton missed a great opportunity to blood some youngsters. The result of this match is not important in the preparation for next year' World Cup but allowing young players to gain the experience is. It sounds as if Zoe Harrison, at last, has played as well for England as she has been playing for Sarries

[@mikeminno5956]

You dont blood youngsters againt the best team ....aka the NZ women.

[@stevemathews9535]

@@mikeminno5956 Of course you are right if you think that the result is the most important outcome. On the other hand if preparation for the forthcoming World Cup is more important then the young players should be given the chance. It is too late if nothing is done until the tournament starts and Abby Ward, Sarah Hunter etc get injured. Holly Aitcheson didn't do too badly fora youngster.

[@Autofleet4429]

@@stevemathews9535 they are also missing Emily Scarratt with a broken leg which is a massive dent in their lineup

[@floravelascorodulfo]

So where were all the Kiwi 7's players, only see one of them ... ?????

[@suspect7517]

the fern's forward pack needs some improvement

[@gerryforde2406]

outstanding England!

[@TiaPetaia]

Good on yah England.

[@stephenlouwbiokineticist4127]

Wow!!! Well done England.

[@hernandezfernandez1565]

Well done England deserved winners

[@NoName-hg6cc]

Usually the score is the reverse when New Zealand is involved ....

[@paulbeattie7501]

Congrats England on the win they showed how dangerous they are,the ferns wasnt showing that they really wanted this game but hope they do better next time.