Woodman still adapting to arena

New Zealand’s 19-point hammering of England on Saturday was a debut to remember for netballer-cum-wing Portia Woodman.

The Auckland Sevens star used her speed to good effect in New Zealand’s 29-10 victory over England in the first of three Tests at Eden Park on Saturday.

However Woodman’s inexperience – it was her first full match in the 15-a-side code after a full season of Sevens rugby – was evident as she did her best to emulate her Sevens World Cup efforts. She scored 14 tries in Sevens’ global showpiece in June.

Despite the initial adaptation problem, Woodman said she felt good and was open to improving ahead of Tuesday’s game against England at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium.

“It was an awesome experience,” Woodman said.

“It was a bit different from Sevens. I’m not used to so many people on the field and that much contact but I loved it and can’t wait for the next one.”

Woodman, who also played superbly on defence with a couple of try-saving tackles, said she felt completely comfortable in the environment despite being thrown into the deep end with a starting debut by coach Brian Evans.

The wing said she learned a lot of how to play rugby both in the match and in training.

“We did a bit of practicing over the last week with the girls. On the field they’re so experienced and know so much about the game.

“They talk to me so much, I feel as comfortable with them as I do with the Sevens girls.”

The wing understood she didn’t do everything right. A lack of initial knowledge on how to finish what would have been her first try saw her tackled metres from the line thanks to some strong cover defence and a mental adaptation to the Sevens arena.

If the wing had felt any disappointment, she needn’t have worried. She took on the immediate lesson of using her pace to good effect and scored within a minute.

“I thought I was on the Sevens field and thought the inside fielder wasn’t going to be as close so I thought I could chop back in but obviously not,” Woodman recollected.

“I’m just realising that it’s quite different. There’s a lot more people on the field and they do come from nowhere. I think I just need to gas it and take it up strong when I have space.”

Woodman will have her opportunity to do just that when New Zealand play England at Waikato Stadium on Tuesday. The match kicks off at 7pm.

Article source: http://www.tsn.ca/rugby/story/?id=427722

Woodman still adapting to arena