Woodman in full flight a positive sign for Ferns in Japanese rout

THE glorified training run against a woefully inferior Japanese side was a puzzling but useful exercise for the Black Ferns ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Once Kiwi lock Joanah NganWoo bumped off the first of many feeble tackle attempts from Japan with the match’s first carry, there was no doubt the Black Ferns would win their first test at Eden Park since 2019 by a large margin.

Gauging whether the reigning world champions are capable of toppling their northern tormenters from last November, England and France, at the World Cup remains just as unclear.

The 95-12 victory wasn’t a serious test of their title credentials for the World Cup that starts in two weeks, but the sight of Portia Woodman and Sarah Hirini in full flight on their return from sevens was the most pleasing aspect for coach Wayne Smith.

Japan’s defence was awful, conceding 15 tries – seven to the unstoppable wing Woodman.

Halfback Kendra Cocksedge, one of the smallest Black Ferns on the field, powered through Japan’s broken defensive line for the easiest of close-range tries to get the ball rolling after five minutes.

And Japan’s score before halftime, to Seina Saito, was the most cheered try of the test because the disappointing crowd in attendance appeared to lose interest in following the match too intensely, as it was barely a contest, and why not cheer the underdog?

Still, Woodman and Hirini fitted seamlessly into the Black Ferns’ machine.

Amy du Plessis made her test debut only in June but looks to have cemented a start at centre for the World Cup after another strong, assured performance.

For a star player who has struggled somewhat in recent

years with injuries, Woodman looked at top speed and in great form, scoring a ruthless hat-trick inside 25 minutes.

Hirini, too, who was playing her first since the 2017 World

Cup final, was a commanding figure at openside flanker in her 46 minutes, offloading nicely in contact, and showing her pace with a 40m dash for her try.

Stacey Fluhler joined the party in the second half after also switching from sevens – her brilliant netball pass set Woodman free for her sixth – and she will benefit from game time after not playing 15s, like Woodman, since last

November’s northern tour.

That combination could be what the Black Ferns need for their more serious tests at the World Cup.

However, they were far from perfect, despite the ease in which they dispatched Japan.

After conceding only four tries in five tests, where they have beaten Australia (three times), Canada and the United States since June, letting the Japanese have two will not impress defence coach Wesley Clarke.

Also, Japan managed to snaffle a few turnovers which is another concern because the Black Ferns were destroyed in that department by World Cup favourites England and France.

They also struggled there against Australia in an ugly 22-14 victory in Adelaide four weeks ago.

For long spells, the Black Ferns’ handling was slick and efficient to complement their physical dominance.

But the bigger tests are to come, starting against the Wallaroos on October 8, when they kick off their first World Cup at home.