Page 27 - MAB v The Lions

AS THE LIONS HAVE BEEN
travelling New Zealand Wellington Rotorua and and Christchurch have been playing host to the Black Ferns Canada Australia and and England in in a a a a a a a a a a a thrilling six-match International Women’s Rugby Series It has been exciting preparation for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 which will be held later this year in in Ireland with all four teams making strong statements as they head towards the the the the Tournament and giving their teams the the the best possible shot at at global glory The Series has provided a a a a a a a great showcase for the the women’s game All four teams teams are ranked in in the the top six teams teams internationally so so fans have been treated to to to some fantastic rugby That’s expected to to to continue today There’s plenty of respect between England and and the Black Ferns who will run out onto Rotorua International Stadium before the the Maori All Blacks host the the British & Irish Lions They have met 24 times with the the Black Ferns coming out the the victors on on 16 occasions The teams assembled in in Wellington last last week for an an of of cial welcome
and the Series kicked off last last Friday “The Series has provided a a a great showcase for the women’s game ”
The Black Ferns secured a a a a a a a a win over Canada at Westpac Stadium before the Hurricanes and and Chiefs’ Investec Super Rugby match while the Australian and and English sides faced off in Porirua The teams then headed to Christchurch for a a a a a a a a a double header at at Rugby Park that saw the Black Ferns take on Australia and and England play Canada The Black Ferns were delighted to retain the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy with a a a a a a convincing win over Australia in in in dif cult conditions Meanwhile England are also unbeaten heading to to to Rotorua where the Series wraps up today after a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a good win over the the Canadian team Canada played Australia earlier today with the the the game an an an an opportunity for each to to pick up their rst win of the Series Black Ferns Head Coach
Glenn Moore said the Series was an an opportunity for rugby fans around New Zealand to see the the the team team in in action and and would test the the the the team team against some of the the the the tough opposition they are likely to to meet in in in the the the Women’s Rugby World Cup in in in Ireland Ireland and and and Northern Ireland Ireland in in in August “We have had a a a a a a a a a a a vision for for how we want to play the the game and for for the the last couple of years we have been progressively building that We’re looking to advance year-on-year and I think we’ve made good strides there ”
Moore INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S RUGBY SERIES
CLASH OF THE TITANS
In a a a a a a special prelude to to to tonight’s historic Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions match the the the number-one-ranked women’s team the the the Black Ferns take on on on on the the the defending Women’s Rugby World Cup Champions England in in a a a a a a a momentous Test match DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES
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