Black Ferns player ratings: Kendra Cocksedge, Ayesha Leti-I’iga star in Wallaroos walloping

Aaron Goile is a Stuff senior sports reporter.

OPINION: The Black Ferns have run riot in the first match of their O’Reilly Cup series against the Wallaroos in Christchurch.

New Zealand have never lost to the Australians, and that never looked in danger of changing on Saturday night, as the hosts cantered to a silverware-retaining 52-5 win.

Here are Stuff’s Black Ferns player ratings from the test at Orangetheory Stadium:

Renee Holmes: Sparked a few of the attacking waves from the back. Superb scrag tackle on Ivania Wong to ensure Aussies stayed scoreless until late on. Took over the goalkicking and nailed 3/4. 7

Ruby Tui: In absolutely everything for a while early on – putting on a huge hit then producing a beautiful chip and chase – but the ball then didn’t really see her as much. Worked hard off it, mind you. 7.5

Amy du Plessis: Big presence on defence early, then scored a maiden try, thankfully, after opting not to unload to her unmarked outsides. Subbed at 69 minutes. 7

Theresa Fitzpatrick: Back in the fold for first test since 2019, and the Birmingham sevens bronze medallist was silky with her limited touches, but will rue a knock on when hot on attack. Replaced in 77th minute. 6

Ayesha Leti-I’iga: Storming presence on the left flank, capped by her wondrous try early in the second stanza. Bagged another for good measure on a night where she took 16 carries, beat five defenders and made 114 metres. 9

Ruahei Demant: Co-captain started the onslaught with her 20-metre burst for the opening try, then put on something like a carbon copy to continue the rout in a very composed display. 8

Kendra Cocksedge: More caps than the rest of the starting backline put together and ran the game with aplomb, notably with her crafty box kick. Bagged a try from a classic dummy pass and kicked 3/4 off the tee. Subbed at 46 minutes then back on during Nathan-Wong’s HIA. 9

Charmaine McMenamin: First test since 2019 – when she was Black Ferns player of the year – after a rare spinal injury last year, and was back at what she does best, heaving forward on powerful runs. Nice offload for Demant’s second try. Subbed in 53rd minute. 8

Kennedy Simon: Just a second test start, a first at No 7 and a first as co-captain. Having missed June’s Pacific Four series with a knee injury, she was sublime in her comeback, carrying hard, tackling everything and ripping into the breakdown. 8.5

Alana Bremner: Carried well in the wide channels, also proved a handy option at the front of the lineout on several occasions. 6

Chelsea Bremner: Special match in linking with her sister in their hometown for a test. Got over the ball for a quality ruck turnover penalty win, and stole a lineout, too. 6

Joanah Ngan Woo: Reliable option at the front of the lineout, went on plenty of good bursts and scored a good spin-over try. Replaced at the hour-mark. 8

Tanya Kalounivale: Scrummed well and was a hugely destructive weapon with the ball, but with the lovely soft hands to boot. 8

Georgia Ponsonby: On target at lineout time and made some searching carries up the middle. 6

Pip Love: Part of a solid Ferns scrum, with hardly any defending to do. Part of entire front-row rotation after 46 minutes. 5

RESERVES

Luka Connor: Had first lineout throw stolen, but got the last laugh with a rolling maul try. 6

Awhina Tangen-Wainohu: Not a bad debut, winning a penalty with your first test scrum. Got another one later, too. 7

Amy Rule: Went close to burrowing over the line. Involved in bad mixup off an Aussie kickoff. 5

Tafito Lafaele: On with 20 to go as things got a wee bit disjointed. N/R

Kendra Reynolds: On for a half-hour stint and got well-involved at the breakdown, winning one turnover penalty. 6

Tyla Nathan-Wong: An unfortunate debut for the sevens star. Given the last 34 minutes to prove herself but only lasted 17 after being forced off with an HIA. Did return for the last five, though. N/R

Sylvia Brunt: On for last 11 minutes and took the line on and put on a particularly big hit. N/R

Hazel Tubic: Given the last four minutes, smashed through by Trilleen Pomare on the way to the Aussies’ sole try. N/R