Black Ferns star Kendra Cocksedge has played an influential role to help Canterbury defend their Farah Palmer Cup rugby title against Counties Manukau in Christchurch.
Cocksedge scored 27 points, as Canterbury claimed a crushing 52-29 win over the Heat at Rugby Park.
The 44-test veteran scored two tries and landed all seven conversion attempts, along with a penalty goal in the win.
The red-and-blacks produced a dominant display to beat Counties in the final for the second consecutive year.
Counties started well, scoring the game's opening try off a lineout drive after two minutes, but that was the only time they led, as Canterbury responded with two tries to Cocksedge.
Counties prop Leilani Peres pulled one back for her side, but a brace to Sam Curtis, along with a try to Greer O'Rourke before the break, gave the hosts a 35-10 halftime lead.
Canterbury continued their dominance in the second half, with Grace Brooker, Lucy Anderson scoring to put the game out of reach at 49-10.
Heat winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku found her way over the line, before Cocksedge kicked a 35m penalty goal to bring up the half century.
Replacement prop Anastasia Mamea scored two late consolation tries for Counties, but they didn’t matter in the end, as Canterbury outscored their opponents seven tries to five.
Newshub.
