Heartbreak for France as Black Ferns hold on to take thriller

By MARK DOCHERTY

CAROLINE Drouin missed a last-minute penalty as the Black Ferns set up a final with England.

New Zealand replacement prop Santo Taumata was sin binned for a high tackle with a minute remaining, handing France the chance to kick a match winning penalty, but the previously faultless Drouin skewed her kick wide.

Black Ferns head coach Wayne Smith said: “It was an unbelievable ending. We were pretty jittery at the start but it was a superb second half.”

New Zealand… 25pts

Tries: Fluhler 35, Tui 43, Fitzpatrick 56

Conversions: Holmes 35, Demant 56

Penalties: Holmes 28, Demant 62

France………….. 24pts

Tries: R Ménager 22, 64, Vernier 39

Conversions: Drouin 22, 39, 64

Penalties: Drouin 6

Flanker Sarah Hirini said: “I love playing the French, I'm so glad we got to play them in a World Cup semi-final. We had to work really hard to get points on the board but we've got some of the best attacking players in the world and I'm really proud we managed to get over the line. Next week is the biggest day of my life, I can't wait.”

French fly-half Drouin opened the scoring with a penalty in the opening exchanges as both sides jostled to gain early supremacy. Returning No.8 Romane Ménager scored the first try as she drove over the line to finish a multi-phase move.

Defending champions New Zealand responded through a Renee Holmes penalty but were unable to breach the try line after heavy pressure, being held up on two occasions.

However, they made the breakthrough on 35 minutes as Kendra Cocksedge's quick free kick opened the space for Stacey Fluhler to score, with Holmes converting from the touchline.

France reclaimed the lead on the stroke of halftime as Gabrielle Vernier powered over, with Drouin adding the extras.

The Black Ferns scored early in the second half through Ruby Tui as she capitalised on lapse defending to touch down a grubber inches before the dead ball line, before Theresa Fitzpatrick forced her way over the line from close range to put the hosts in front.

Skipper Ruahei Demant took the points from a penalty to extend New Zealand's lead to two scores but they were instantly pegged back as Ménager somehow forced her way over the line for her second try.

Replacement lock Safi N'Diaye was shown a yellow card for a high tackle with just over ten minutes left. France piled on the pressure and Taumata saw yellow, but Drouin could not take advantage from the tee.