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Black Ferns’ Vaha’akolo ‘living the dream’ with 4-try haul versus Wallaroos

New Zealand's Katelyn Vaha'akolo (R) evades the tackle of Australia's Lori Cramer (L) during the rugby union Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on July 14, 2024. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)

With a blood stain smudged into the white collar of Katelyn Vaha’akolo’s otherwise black jersey, the wounds of a rugby battle between groups of rivalling warriors were clear for all to see. But after an 80-minute masterclass, the Black Fern still had every reason to smile.

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New Zealand recorded their second comprehensive win over traditional rivals Australia in a 50-day span and Vaha’akolo was the star of the show. The Black Ferns speedster scored four tries, and almost had a fifth, in a relentless 62-nil demolition in Brisbane.

Vaha’akolo, 24, reeled in a well-worked Sylvia Brunt grubber kick to score in the 22nd minute and reaped the rewards of some more backline magic about 13 minutes later. But it’s almost impossible to be perfect, even on an afternoon like this one.

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Two-Test Wallaroos Biola Dawa did enough to stop her opposite from completing a first-half hat-trick with a solid defensive effort in the dying stages. With a desperate lunge, Dawa did just enough to force a knock-on from Vaha’akolo.

With two more tries during the second 40-minute period, Vaha’akolo was a clear winner for Player of the Match honours. It was a sensational performance overall but that one knock-on is a moment the winger would love to have back.

“I knocked it on on the line because of that great defence from that No. 14,” Vaha’akolo told a trio of reporters including one from RugbyPass.

“That was all I could think about,” she quipped with a laugh.

“But no, just going to move onto the next.”

Vaha’akolo couldn’t stop smiling after the big win. With fans from both Australia and New Zealand swarming the players on the field at Ballymore Stadium, the Black Fern’s No. 11 was in good spirits as she continued to live “the dream.”

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The outside back is a dual international after also representing New Zealand and the Maori All Stars in rugby league. In Vaha’akolo’s five appearances for the Kiwi Ferns, she had a strike rate of one try pre-match at international level.

But after playing at the 2021 Women’s Rugby League World Cup, Vaha’akolo jumped codes after putting pen to paper in rugby union. Blues Women ended up taking the cross-code star on and they certainly made the right call there.

She was named the Blues’ Player of the Year.

The Blues also won Super Rugby Aupiki with a Grand Final triumph at Eden Park.

Vaha’akolo was named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year for a women’s 15s player in 2023 and it’s not hard to see why. The try-scoring machine has been electric in Super Rugby Aupiki and also on the grand international stage.

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There might not be a better winger in women’s rugby at the moment.

“I’m really living the dream and I have so much support around me so it’s like there’s no excuse for me to not be able to succeed,” Vaha’akolo explained.

“Obviously, coming from a contact sport with league has helped me bring it into union.

“I’m really happy where I am and I’m exactly where I should be.”

With Vaha’akolo playing a starring role in both wins over Australia this year, the New Zealanders have now won back-to-back Tests for the first time this year.

The Black Ferns’ only defeat so far was during World Rugby’s Pacific Four Series where they went down in a shock defeat to Canada in Christchurch. But the women in black back have bounced back with two cricket scores against the Wallaroos.

“Having those two wins is helping us build our confidence going into Twickenham versing England.

“We know it’s going to be a really, really hard game so we’ve just got to keep building, keep making shifts like we have been the last couple of weeks.

“It is really great. It’s awesome. I like beating Aussie but they’re out sisters,” she added.

“Hopefully they get full-time contracts soon… so they are in a position to verse teams like us and we can be similar levels of skill.”

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SadersMan 112 days ago

This girl is a SUPERSTAR.

But under Bunting the Black Ferns have been useless. Our pack has been wobbly to say the least. They came FOURTH in WXV1 2023, even behind Australia at third who pulled off a great victory v France (who beat us). We were outmuscled & seemed to want to play Sevens, not 15s.

The Black Ferns also lost to Canada for the 1st time, in PAC4 2024 in May to come SECOND ahead of USA & Australia who came last. Our pack was again awful in the only test that mattered v Canada. Again, trying to play Sevens without paying the hard-carry price.

So, while smashing the Wallaroos 62-0 may evoke much joy joy happy happy clappy clappy, I remain unconvinced. England will be licking their chops for what I think will be an embarrassing hiding for the Ferns at Twickers in September, unless we get some bulk in at lock & at blindside. We also need to get rid of the slow moving, low work rate prop, Kalounivale. The pack is unbalanced behind, & overbalanced at prop.

Sort this rubbish out!!!!

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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