Analysis: What made the Black Ferns attack so dangerous in Pacific Four Series?
Doesn’t it feel like such a long time since Jonah Ngan-Woo stole the ball from Abbie Ward at the lineout in the World Cup final, securing rugby’s grandest trophy for the Black Ferns? On one hand, so much has changed since then; players have retired, squads have been rotated, and above all, we’ve had to go six months without watching the Black Ferns play attacking rugby. What’s that all about? Time’s always going to move slowly without such entertainment in your life.
Well, that’s until they reappeared on our screens a month ago. Even without Kendra Cocksedge, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Stacey Waaka and Ruby Tui, they’re still just as exciting. As the Black Ferns romped to the 2023 Pacific Four title, let’s take a look at their various methods of attack in each game, starting with their opening rout against Australia – more specifically with Sylvia Brunt’s second try in the 33rd minute.
As the Black Ferns attempt a series of pick-and-gos, Australia put up some resistance. In response, Maia Roos pops a short ball to Alana Bremner, who, instead of trying to get a dominant carry, immediately drops to the floor. Her intention is to solely generate quick ball, sacrificing go-forward. This is a risky tactic as it opens up the opportunity for Australia to get a turnover, but as long as Georgia Ponsonby gets a good, quick clear-out – which she does – New Zealand are in a dominant position to attack Australia.
Roos gets straight back to her feet and picks the ball up as soon as Bremner places it. Suddenly, the Wallaroos have to work twice as hard to get into position to defend. Additionally, they have to pile more numbers into the contact area. If they don’t either slow the ball down or get a dominant two-woman shot, the Black Ferns are almost certainly driving over.
With zero hesitation, as soon as Australia concentrate the breakdown area, the Black Ferns spin the ball to Brunt in midfield. Brunt jumps to take the ball, and seemingly changes her direction of running whilst mid-air – because she is a freak. However, Brunt can also thank the rest of her midfield for the dominant carry she’s about to make.
If you watch this try back, you’ll notice Amy Du Plessis, wearing 13, begins from a wide position, and runs a threatening line to hold Georgie Fredrichs, the furthest out Wallaroos defender on-screen. As she gets close to Brunt, she stutters, then straightens her line, so Fredrichs doesn’t get too close to her inside woman, Cecelia Smith. With fly-half Ruahei Demant also animated in the boot, the wider Australian backline can’t afford to jam in and help Smith with the tackle, otherwise the Black Ferns are bound to score out wide. Brunt bowls Smith over in a 1v1 carry and scores.
Everyone from the second row to the outside centre is on the same page here, and it allows the Ferns to bash over. Next, let’s look at a more subtle approach to breaking down the Canadian defence, for Mererangi Paul’s 18th minute score.
As New Zealand look to play wide, Canada look to apply lots of linespeed and shut down the space for Renee Holmes and Brunt before the Ferns can play wide. If they persist with their plan to spread the ball, Canada are more likely to force an error or even get an intercept. As Brunt calls for the ball in Holmes’ boot, Du Plessis notices the one frailty in Canada’s defence.
Du Plessis calls for Brunt to chip the ball in behind, and Brunt obliges. With Canada defending so aggressively, it makes more sense to let their line advance further and therefore expand the amount of space behind the line. If Holmes tried the kick herself as first receiver, it is more likely that Justine Pelletier or Alysha Corrigan can successfully turn and cover it in time.
As soon as Du Plessis advances towards the ball, Brunt’s support line is extremely smart. She accelerates to her centre partner’s outside, knowing she is more likely to have faster support there. She receives the offload from Du Plessis, and in turn links up with Kennedy Simon, who gives Paul the assist.
And finally, let’s look at a segment of their final game against the USA. But first, let’s briefly talk about it. I mean, what a game, right? The USA had the Black Ferns rattled in the first half like we didn’t know they could be. For New Zealand to hit the panic button and bring on skipper Demant at 33 minutes – and the rest of the cavalry within five minutes of half-time – is a victory for the Eagles in itself.
It’s not unfair to say all Kiwi panic was alleviated once Demant took the field. Their attacking game looked infinitely sharper for the remaining 47 minutes. Let’s look at one last clip.
As the USA are beginning to tire, Demant flashes from the openside to the blindside, running at full tilt. In theory, this isn’t a threatening attacking shape, but by running so flat to the line, Demant has made sure the USA have to mark her.
Demant clearly has no intention to run herself. She’s already drawn her opposite woman, Erica Jarrell, before catching the ball. She flicks the ball to Tanya Kalounivale outside her. Not only has she given a front-rower a 1v1 carry in space, but she has stayed on her feet by making her decision to pass so early and so quickly.
Demant works around the corner quickly, alongside winger Kelsey Teneti. Teneti’s angle, so close to the ruck, is fantastic. Much like Demant earlier in the movement, it looks like she’s running up a blind alley, but she’s running with such conviction that she’s worth marking.
USA’s McKenzie Hawkins tightens up to mark Teneti, but Demant continues to run an overs line and receives the ball. Chelsea Bremner holds both her width and the attention of winger Grace Steinmetz superbly.
At this stage, it’s essentially a footrace between Demant and Hawkins. Demant has manufactured just enough space that she can take the outside, make a clean break and score herself to solidify her team’s win.
The moral of the story? Well, there’s a couple. One is that New Zealand are stacked in the centre position. Another is that Ruahei Demant is utterly world-class, no matter what situation you chuck her into. But the biggest learning of all is that we should never take the entertainment provided by the Black Ferns for granted. Roll on the ludicrous viral tries they’ll be scoring in the inaugural WXV tournament.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments