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Amy du Plessis: 'That was my hardest game. It was an awesome test, credit to Canada.'
By Adam Julian
The Black Ferns officially won their 100th Test match on Sunday (NZT) when they beat Canada 52-21 in an enthralling Pacific Four tussle in Ottawa.
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The scoreline flattered the visitors with Canada only trailing the world champions 28-21 after 52 minutes.
Amy du Plessis was chosen as Mastercard Women of the Match. The Black Ferns centre scored two tries and was instrumental on the attack as the Black Ferns overcome a rough patch to crack a century of wins in their 117th Test.
The Black Ferns first official Test victory was also against Canada (24-6) on April 6, 1991, at the Rugby World Cup in Glamorgan, Wales.
“I had no idea this was our 100th win. I’ll have to tell the girls, that’s awesome and we’ll be stocked,” du Plessis said.
“We knew it was going to be a good test tonight that showcases the work that’s been done, but there’s also a lot of work to do.”
The Black Ferns jumped quickly to a 21-0 lead before Canada upped the ante physically and scored twice before the interval. Forwards Tyson Beukeboom, Fabiola Forteza, and Sophie de Goode were especially productive, with the latter so popular among the locals her name was chanted enthusiastically by the record crowd of 10,090 spectators during her after-match interview at TD Place Stadium.
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Stern words at halftime helped New Zealand reclaim control.
“We spoke about carrying really hard and being a little deeper on attack, so we had more time to identify the space,” du Plessis said.
“Personally, that was my hardest game. It was an awesome test, credit to Canada.”
Both du Plessis tries were scored in the second half. She finished a break close to the ruck by halfback Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu whose shabby passing against Australia was left in the past and then she collected a bullet delivery from reserve halfback Iritana Hohaia as Canada waned. Additionally, a bust and kick du Plessis performed led to a Renee Holmes try. The Black Ferns fullback scored 17 points.
Beside du Plessis is World Rugby Player of the Year Ruahei Demant and second-five Sylvia Brunt who is shaping as a potential star. She had 11 tackles and 11 carries to back up her player-of-the-match display against Australia on June 29.
“It’s unreal with those two beside me. It makes my job easier. Lu as captain controls the game so well and Sylvia I can trust to defend. It gives me confidence,” du Plessis said.
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“They’re going to break line a lot, so I want to make sure we play on top and I’m there to support when they make a break.”
With Theresa Fitzpatrick and Stacey Waaka starting midfielders at the World Cup, du Plessis was reduced to a supporting role. Still, she featured in all three pool wins and produced a particularly noteworthy display in the come-from-behind comeback against Australia which her grandad and aunty flew in from South Africa and Australia respectively to witness.
Down 0-17 after half an hour, the Black Ferns scored 41 unanswered points to eventually prevail handsomely. With 15 tackles, du Plessis’ defense was crucial in shutting down the initially elusive Wallaroos outside backs. Mentoring from 94-Test All Black and twice World Cup-winning centre Conard Smith no doubt proved useful.
In Super Rugby Aupiki she was initially dissatisfied with her own performances for Matat? until she produced a star turn in the final as the Southerns rallied from a 19-0 deficit to upset Chiefs Manawa 33-31. She told the New Zealand Herald afterward:
“I’ve probably struggled the last few weeks and haven’t put out the performances that I wanted to. I literally wrote ‘believe’ on my wrist because I wanted to just believe in myself, go out there, and know I could do it. I just did everything I could for my team.”
She was born in Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal, the hometown of legendary Springboks hardman Bakkies Botha. Her parents were the manager of a BMW store but shifted to New Zealand when Amy was seven, in pursuit of a safer lifestyle residing on a dairy farm owned by Amy’s grandfather in Southland. In 2016 she was in the Southland Girls’ High School First XV that won the National Top Four title. Future Black Fern Alena Saili scored a hat-trick for Southland.
Following Pac Four, which concludes with a Test against the USA this weekend, she’ll return to Canterbury to play the Farah Palmer Cup which starts on Saturday. Canterbury are the defending Premiership champions. In the 2022 final they toppled Auckland 41-14 with du Plessis scoring a try.
The Black Ferns are the quickest Tier I country to achieve 100 Test wins. England reached the landmark in 119 Tests in 2006.
