By Paul Jones
Ioan Cunningam has admitted Wales Women are “hurting” after a record 70-7 defeat to New Zealand which former international Alecs Donovan said will have “embarrassed” the players.
Cunningham’s team have won plenty of plaudits for their progress over the past couple of seasons, yet they are bottom of their group in the new WXV1 tournament Down Under with one game left to play, against Australia.
They were over-run by a New Zealand team who were on a different level as the Black Ferns ran in 12 tries, with just one in reply from Abbie Fleming.
Cunningham admitted: “It was a tough loss. We are hurting quite badly but it is a steep learning curve and we are here to develop and hopefully close that gap.
“A week is a long time in sport and we’ve got a great opportunity to get back on the horse (against Australia).
“We’ve got to stay tight as a group and there were glimpses of positivity in the game that we can take into next week.”
But former centre Donovan pulled no punches in her role on radio commentary and said: “I’m really disappointed.
Wales’ 32-year wait for a first win over New Zealand continues as the brilliant Black Ferns dominated in Dunedin 🏉#BBCRugby
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 28, 2023
“The girls will almost feel a bit embarrassed with the scoreline. They’ve come a long way but we don’t want that excuse – you want to put in a performance.
“You can’t take away from the fact it is 70 points to seven.”
Wales captain Hannah Jones said: “It was a tough day at the office but we are here to play at this level, it’s a quick turnaround to Australia so we have to learn fast and put the wrongs right next week.
“You’ve got to keep the energy going, keep the belief, but there’s not much to say really.
“We are at the top tier, we’re here to play that type of rugby and we are only going to get better from this, our aim is the World Cup and this is part of the journey.”
Wales suffered against the world champions under the roofed Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
It was Wales’ second consecutive defeat in the WXV1 tournament and now they have to regroup before finishing their campaign in Auckland next week where they will face Australia.
History was against Wales as they entered the contest. The Black Ferns have never lost to Wales and conquered them twice at the 2022 Rugby World Cup, winning the pool game 56-12 in Waitakere.
In the quarter final in Whangārei the Black Ferns won 55-3. From that match, the Black Ferns had nine survivors while Wales had 10.
Black Ferns star Ruby Tui has well and truly re-established herself in the 15-a-side game after scoring four tries as part of her side’s 12-try thumping of Wales this afternoon. https://t.co/SIZs0gT01v
— 1News (@1NewsNZ) October 28, 2023
New Zealand were in control from the outset, never allowing Wales to get a foothold in the match. They quickly spread the ball wide at every opportunity with seven of the 12 tries coming from wingers Ruby Tui and Mererangi Paul.
Inside 18 minutes Wales had conceded two tries and lost full back Nel Metcalfe to the sin bin and had given away five penalties.
New Zealand dominated the opening exchanges when and by the time had Tui cantered over for her second try, exposing the Welsh defence with ease, the writing was on the wall for Cunningham’s team.
Wales couldn’t get a foothold in the game at all and found possession at a premium. On the rare occasion they managed to get into New Zealand’s half they lost the ball and the home side made them pay dearly.
The Black Ferns constantly found acres of space out wide and worked winger Tui over for her hat-trick and almost immediately she had the ball in her hands out wide again, did a goose-step to stroll over for her fourth try.
By the time Metcalfe returned from her stint on the naughty step, the Black Ferns were already in cruise control.
A promising drive 5m out came to nothing for Wales due to obstruction while another opportunity went begging with a squiffy line-out.
Trailing 27-0 at the break, the Black Ferns were out of the blocks quickly in the second period as Wales were unable to release the pressure valve.
Here’s how the WXV1 table stands after Wales’ heavy defeat to the Black Ferns 🏉#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/9r0YExElor
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 28, 2023
Wales continued to concede penalties under pressure. Paul raced over for her second try while centre Amy Du Plessis powered over before fly half Ruahei Demant darted over.
Wales briefly stopped the one way traffic when second row Abbie Fleming piled over from close range for fly half Llecu George to convert.
But that just proved a blip for the Black Ferns as they continued to score at regular intervals to ensure they bounced back from their defeat to France in the opening round.
Jasmine Joyce was a one-woman wrecking crew for Wales. Her herculean defensive shift in a losing cause prevented an even higher defeat.
On countless occasions she saved the day with big hits and claimed several turnovers to at least give Wales some hope for next week’s game against Australia.