Wales produced their best performance of the tournament but still found themselves on the end of a 41-8 defeat to New Zealand in the World Cup clash at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.
Mellissa Berry’s side clawed their way back to 17-8 at the break in the Pool A encounter after winger Caryl James dived over on the stroke of half time. But after the interval the Black Ferns showed why they are such firm favourites for the title by racing over for four unanswered touchdowns.
It looked ominous for Wales when full back Kelly Brazier waltzed over after just six minutes but Wales stood firm and hit back through a Non Evans penalty.
Wales were then reduced to 14 when centre Elen Evans was yellow carded. During her incarceration New Zealand went for the jugular and scored twice through Brazier and fly half Rebecca Mahoney.
Wales refused to buckle and hit back with a superb team try. From a lineout on the New Zealand 22, prop Catrin Edwards made the initial charge. From the ruck, Evans cut back against the grain to off load to Naomi Thomas who found Clare Flowers. The experienced centre bided her time and sent out the scoring pass to James who sped over in the corner.
Wales headed into the tunnel with a spring in their step but a three-tries onslaught inside seven minutes after the break sunk Welsh hopes. Brezier completed her hat trick with Victoria Grant and Halie Hurring racing over before Monalisa Codling completed the job for the Black Ferns.
The final score-line does little justice to the Welsh cause where front row trio Caryl Thomas, Catrin Edwards and hooker Rhian Bowden stood out with countless charging runs into the Kiwi defence.
Wales head coach Jason Lewis said he was proud of the way his side responded after losing the first two pool games to Australia and South Africa without hardly firing a shot across their bows.
“We spoke before the game about going in with belief and confidence. The girls have just produced their best performance and that was simply down to wanting to show what they are capable of.
“The girls know they haven’t shown what they are capable to date and they really tested New Zealand. We showed we can mix it with the best team in the world. For us it’s all about getting some consistency between games.
“New Zealand came out in the second half and they were flying, they really upped their game. They scored some fantastic tries and they are very difficult side to defend against. The girls’ level of performance was far in excess of the previous two games and it was great to see the pride back in their performance.”
Scorers: New Zealand: Brezier (3), Mahoney, Grant, Hurring, Codling; Cons: Mahoney, Brezier, Cocksedge
Wales: Try: Caryl James; Pen: Non Evans
