NZL
No.Name
15Selica Winiata, FB
14Portia Woodman, W
T
4
13Stacey Waaka, C
12Kelly Brazier, C
T
11Renee Wickliffe, W
10Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, FH
T
9Kendra Cockseage, SH
2
2
1Toka Natua, P
2Fiao'o Faamausili, H
3Aldora Itunu, P
4Eloise Blackwell, L
5Charmaine Smith, L
6Charmaine McMenamin, FL
7Sarah Goss, FL
8Aroha Savage, N8
Replacements
16Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, R
T
17Sosoli Talawadua, R
18Aleisha Nelson, R
19Becky Wood, R
20Lesley Ketu, R
21Linda Itunu, R
22Theresa Fitzpatrick, R
23Carla Hohepa, R

*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold

Game Info

Venue: Kingspan Stadium
5:00 PM, August 22, 2017
All CommentaryKey Events

Match Commentary

81'45-12 End of second half
80'Winiata's kick ahead rolls into touch and that is that. The four-time champions are into another final, but they have been made to work for it. The U.S. faded as the game went on but for an hour in Belfast they pushed the Black Ferns hard. Portia Woodman will again take the plaudits following her four-try performance.
80'Gray is penalised as she loses her bearings at a ruck, and the Black Ferns have one last chance to attack.
78'The scoreboard is starting to look unkind on the U.S. but they take a lot of heart from giving the Black Ferns an almighty shock for an hour here.
78'45-12 Conversion - Kendra Cockseage , New Zealand Women
77'TRY! Some slick handling from New Zealand finds Hohepa on the right wing. The States initially get back to cover, but as the ball is cleared Brazier returns it with interest to score under the posts.
77'43-12 Try - Kelly Brazier , New Zealand Women
76'Substitute on - Kristine Sommer , USA Women
76'Player substituted - Kate Zachary , USA Women
75'TRY! The Black Ferns scrum puts pressure on the States, and a poor clearing kick is punished as Subritzky-Nafatali's boot finds replacement hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate to score from close range.
75'38-12 Try - Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate , New Zealand Women
74'Two American players get in an awful mix-up, staring at the ball to allow Waaka to kick through -- but luckily for the States the centre is unable to ground the ball.
74'Substitute on - Theresa Fitzpatrick , New Zealand Women
74'Player substituted - Stacey Waaka , New Zealand Women
74'Substitute on - Jess Wooden , USA Women
74'Player substituted - Kris Thomas , USA Women
74'Substitute on - Tess Feury , USA Women
74'Player substituted - Kimber Rozier , USA Women
73'
71'TRY! Superb from Woodman but that was just far too easy. The wing struggles to get the ball under control as the ball is spun her way on the left wing, but she juggles it, hangs on and then breezes past Emba to score.
71'Another lineout steal by the Black Ferns, but the U.S. manage to scramble back possession. It's messy though and Rozier puts boot to ball.
71'33-12 Try - Portia Woodman , New Zealand Women
70'Suddenly the Black Ferns are into the U.S. 22 but just as they threaten the line, the ball is turned over.
70'Substitute on - Kayla Canett , USA Women
70'Player substituted - Deven Owsiany , USA Women
70'Player substituted - Kathryn Augustyn , USA Women
70'Substitute on - Sam Pankey , USA Women
70'Player substituted - Fiao'o Faamausili , New Zealand Women
70'Substitute on - Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate , New Zealand Women
68'But just as it looks the U.S. have an advantage on the left wing, New Zealand secure the turnover with a penalty.
68'Player substituted - Charmaine Smith , New Zealand Women
68'Substitute on - Becky Wood , New Zealand Women
67'A crucial turnover from the Black Ferns there and Cockseage clears but Emba and Tapper counter.
66'Can the U.S. make the most of their numeric advantage? Immediately Tapper takes them into New Zealand territory.
66'The decision is yellow for Ituna, who caught Hope Rogers in the head as she was falling to the ground. New Zealand will have to play 10 of the remaining minutes with only 14 women.
66'Player substituted - Toka Natua , New Zealand Women
66'Substitute on - Sosoli Talawadua , New Zealand Women
66'Substitute on - Abby Gustaitis , USA Women
66'Player substituted - Stacey Bridges , USA Women
66'Yellow card - Linda Itunu , New Zealand Women
65'Carla Hohepa is on and into the action immediately but as the U.S. force the turnover the game is paused to check a possible high tackle from Linda Itunu.
62'TRY! Hat trick for Woodman! The Black Ferns make Emba pay for her mistake as Woodman canters in down the left wing.
62'28-12 Try - Portia Woodman , New Zealand Women
61'That's a bad error from Emba. The fullback took the ball back into her 22 before kicking out on the full, so New Zealand will have an attacking lineout.
60'Kelter's kick drifts wide of the far post, but she gave that every chance. The U.S. have hope now, albeit slim.
60'Player substituted - Aldora Itunu , New Zealand Women
60'Substitute on - Aleisha Nelson , New Zealand Women
60'Player substituted - Charmaine McMenamin , New Zealand Women
60'Substitute on - Lesley Ketu , New Zealand Women
60'Substitute on - Carla Hohepa , New Zealand Women
60'Substitute on - Linda Itunu , New Zealand Women
60'Player substituted - Aroha Savage , New Zealand Women
60'Player substituted - Renee Wickliffe , New Zealand Women
58'TRY! Almost out of nothing Kelter breaks clear of the New Zealand defence and she just has the gas to outrun the covering Black Ferns. Game on.
58'23-12 Try - Alev Kelter , USA Women
56'Kathryn Augustyn is unable to keep her thrown straight from the lineout and the chance of an attacking platform for the States goes begging.
56'Substitute on - Nicole James , USA Women
56'Player substituted - Catherine Benson , USA Women
55'Cockseage extends the New Zealand lead beyond two converted scores and it's looking a tall order now for the States.
55'23-7 Penalty goal - Kendra Cockseage , New Zealand Women
53'The Black Ferns have got another drive on from the lineout and Wickliffe comes off her wing to get involved once the ball comes out.

The Black Ferns power their way into the U.S. 22 before they are awarded a penalty as Nicole Heavirland is caught off her feet.
53'The U.S. have made 103 tackles already in Belfast. That's an incredible shift defensively.
52'An excellent turnover from Kelta, though, eases the pressure and allows the States to clear their lines.
51'That try looks to have settled any nerves the Black Ferns might have had, as Aroha Savage thunders into the U.S. 22.
50'Crucially the conversion is missed and the States remain within two converted scores.
48'TRY! New Zealand set their drive from a lineout before Sarah Goss spins out, and Kelly Brazier kicks crossfield for Winiata to scoop up and find Woodman to score. That could be the decisive score for New Zealand.
48'20-7 Try - Portia Woodman , New Zealand Women
47'Player substituted - Tiffany Faaee , USA Women
47'Substitute on - Hope Rogers , USA Women
46'Some hesitation from Emba is almost punished by Stacey Waaka, who races onto the kick ahead but cannot stay in play.
44'An excellent kick from Subritzky-Nafatali turns Thomas and means the U.S. face a crucial defensive lineout.

New Zealand steal and look to attack the line, but the ball is spilled by Winiata.
42'Again they try to get Woodman involved centrally, but as the ball is spun to her out wide later in the move the prolific winger spills the ball.
41'An early error from the U.S. gifts the Black Ferns a scrum in their opponents' half.
41'Cockseage gets us back underway in Belfast. The U.S. are in striking distance of the Black Ferns, can they take their chances in the next 40 minutes?
41'15-7 End of first half
40'
40'A forward pass from New Zealand fly-half Subritzky-Nafatali brings the half to an end and it is the Black Ferns who lead. However, the U.S. are just eight points behind and still in this. Few would have banked on that when they conceded so early. A huge second half coming up.
40'Tapper is unable to take advantage though as she knocks on with Woodman closing in.
40'New Zealand are looking to run the clock down here, but the clearance kick is charged down.
40'15-7 Start of second half
39'The U.S. look to run the penalty -- awarded for a high tackle -- but the Black Ferns steal a crucial turnover.
38'The U.S. continue to make ground and are around seven metres from the New Zealand line. Thomas and Stacey Bridges both threaten to score but the ball is knocked on before the latter can ground the ball. A penalty was coming though.
37'The lineout is good for the States and Parsons charges into the 22. As the ball comes left, Thomas looks to step inside but is met with the Black Ferns defence.
36'They have been forced out of the New Zealand 22, and after Kimber Rozier tries a chip over the top, Black Ferns fullback Winiata clears for an American lineout.
35'The attack has become slightly static from the U.S. as Kelta struggles to retain possession on the right touchline.
34'The U.S. are up into the New Zealand 22. Can they finish the half with a try?
33'Kelta bursts through the New Zealand defence as the U.S. look to build into the Black Ferns half, but Sara Parsons loses the ball forward.
31'New Zealand move into the U.S. 22 once more following good hands from Selica Winiata and gas from Renee Wickliffe but Subritzky-Nafatali's cross-kick is poor and the ball drifts behind.
30'Good defensive work again from the States as Thomas scrambles back to secure possession following a messy turnover.
29'Emba is again given a chance to stretch her legs by New Zealand, but she is isolated and the Black Ferns force a vital turnover.
27'The U.S. can take heart from how they reacted to New Zealand's first try, but as they look to build into Black Ferns territory Deven Owsiany knocks on to hand possession away.
26'
26'15-7 Conversion - Kendra Cockseage , New Zealand Women
25'TRY! That is superb. New Zealand get Woodman into the attack centrally following a scrum and the wing shows strength and agility to power over the line.
25'13-7 Try - Portia Woodman , New Zealand Women
23'The U.S. defence has been impressive so far, and it again forces the error as Subritzky-Nafatali kicks straight to Thomas.
22'New Zealand are back on the attack with Portia Woodman, and threatening the U.S. 22.
20'Penalty to the U.S! A great turnover as the Black Ferns looked to be building towards the try line. Emba takes the opportunity to clear her lines.
19'Ill discipline from the U.S. is punished by Cockseage as the scrum-half's penalty edges the Black Ferns back in front.
19'8-7 Penalty goal - Kendra Cockseage , New Zealand Women
17'That could prove a vital kick from Alev Kelter. A brilliant effort from wide on the left touchline.
17'5-7 Conversion - Alev Kelter , USA Women
15'TRY! Excellent move from the U.S. as Tapper finds room, before an incredible pass from Emba allows Kris Thomas to score.
15'5-5 Try - Kris Thomas , USA Women
12'Some silky feet from Emba helps the U.S. into the New Zealand half again, and there is just a hint that they are getting a foothold in the match.
11'Toka Natua does well to clear the danger for New Zealand. But after some kicking practice, the U.S. have another attacking lineout.
10'The lineout is claimed by Jordan Gray and the U.S. have an attacking platform.
9'Better from the States as they get a drive going into the New Zealand half. The Black Ferns eventually concede a penalty.
7'Excellent turnover on the line for the States from Naya Elena Tapper just as the Black Ferns threatened a second try.
5'New Zealand have started this game on the front foot. Scrum-half Kendra Cockseage keeps the U.S. pegged back with a box kick.
3'TRY! Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali is given room on the outside and a smart step sees her cross for the game's opening score. That was pretty easy for New Zealand.
3'5-0 Try - Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali , New Zealand Women
1'We're underway in the first semifinal. Cheta Emba has an early chance to run the ball at the Black Ferns.
1'With the anthems done in Belfast, it's time for the Black Ferns to lay down their challenge through the haka. Can the U.S. rise to it?
1'
1'Hello and welcome to live commentary of New Zealand's Women's Rugby World Cup semifinal against the United States.

The Black Ferns are looking to secure their return to the final having been halted at this stage in 2014. The U.S. will need to be at their best to compete in Belfast having snuck through to the semifinals as the best runner-up in the pool stage.
1'0-0 Start of first half