Women"s Rugby World Cup 2014: Niamh Briggs" penalty sees Ireland beat four ...

Ireland caused one of the great upsets in Women’s Rugby World Cup history as they beat New Zealand 17-14 in Pool B yesterday.

The Black Ferns have won the last four tournaments and had not lost a finals game since a defeat to the United States in the 1991 semi-final.

They began reasonably well in Marcoussis, France and led 8-0 courtesy of a Kelly Brazier penalty and Selica
Winiata’s try.

But Heather O’Brien’s score, which was then converted by Niamh Briggs, cut the deficit to just one point at the break.

Brazier’s second penalty extended New Zealand’s lead but when winger Alison Miller went over with Briggs again adding the extras, it was the Philip Doyle-coached Irish who led by three.

Another Brazier penalty levelled the scores but Briggs slotted one of her own with 10 minutes remaining and Ireland held on for a famous victory.

The result moved Ireland to the top of Pool B ahead of their final group match against Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan praised the backroom staff for their part in
plotting New Zealand’s downfall.

She said: “The heads never dropped because we were on the same page. Even when they went ahead, we knew we would go back up there, score and win the game,”

“All credit should go to the coaches, the analysis team and the game-plan they gave us It’s absolutely wonderful to win against the world champions. Tonight we’ll go out and enjoy a beer, then tomorrow we’ll start getting ready again for Kazakhstan.”

And New Zealand coach Brian Evans said: “We are very disappointed but fair play to Ireland. They outmuscled us, they forced errors, but huge congratulations to them for that.

“Our mistake level was so high and we couldn’t execute our game-plan and our ball retention was bad but we must stay positive.

“I have a lot of respect for the Irish team and coaches. They are top people.”

Meanwhile, England made it two from two by beating Spain 45-5 in the Pool A clash.

Gary Street’s side scored six tries to Spain’s one, with Kay Wilson, Danielle Waterman, Laura Keates, Claire Allan and Marlie Packer – with two – all scoring and Emily Scarratt adding 15 points with the boot.

England captain Sarah Hunter said: “It was a tough game, we knew Spain would come at us and cause us problems.

“It was a case of playing in the right areas and hoping that we would get the rewards – and eventually they came.”

Wales saw their hopes ended by an emphatic 25-3 defeat against Australia.

Sharni Williams and Tricia Brown scored tries as Australia built a 17-0 interval lead and Brown then added a second touchdown, with Wales replying through a solitary Robyn Wilkins penalty.

Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/233857.html

Women"s Rugby World Cup 2014: Niamh Briggs" penalty sees Ireland beat four ...