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Chaos of 2022 a distant memory for Black Ferns squad looking to 'rewrite history'
By Ned Lester
It’s been a rocky road for the defending champions, results-wise, since their 2022 title run, but the Black Ferns are benefiting from more consistency than the last time around in their quest for another world title.
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Just a year before the 2022 showpiece event, the Kiwis limped out of a bruising European tour that saw them comfortably dismissed by both France and England, triggering urgent action from New Zealand Rugby.
Sir Wayne Smith answered the SOS call and brought decades of rugby nous and innovation once installed as head coach, and the country rallied behind a Black Ferns team bolstered by Black Ferns Sevens stars.
It was a chaotic run into the biggest women’s Rugby World Cup there had been, and that chaos was only put to rest in the dying moments of the final when Joanah Ngan-Woo stole England’s lineout to seal the trophy in front of a record Eden Park crowd.
Black Ferns playmaker Ruahei Demant went on to be crowned Player of the Year for her influence in the win, and is glad to see the team in a more stable position heading into the 2025 Rugby World Cup. She was asked to compare the lead-in to the 2022 campaign to this year.
“I don’t think you can compare the two, simply because there’s been a lot more stability this time around,” the team co-captain told reporters in Christchurch.
“When I reflect back on the Pacific Four Series the year of the 2022 World Cup, we had a lot of change, especially in our management staff. There were some surprises and changes in the playing squad that was selected, also.
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“There’s been a lot more consistency from last season to this season. The only thing I can think of is that we didn’t get the results that we wanted last year; that’s the only thing that’s stayed the same.
“That’s not to say that we’re not just as ready for the World Cup this time around.”
The Black Ferns are in Christchurch to face Canada, who made history 12 months ago with their win over the Kiwis at the very same venue set to host them on Saturday afternoon, giving a special edge to the pivotal Pacific Four Series contest.
“It’s exciting, there aren’t many opportunities in sport where you get to rewrite history, and that’s the opportunity that we’re presented with on Saturday,” Demant said.
“To do it again, here in Chrsitchurch, exactly like last time, it’s exciting and a challenge that the team are walking towards and embracing.”
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New Zealand will face the USA next weekend in Auckland to round out their Pacific Four Series, and then have one final Test match against Australia to prepare them for August’s World Cup. A game with the Black Ferns XV will also offer a chance to finalise combinations before departing for England.
“We only have four games before the World Cup, and every game is different. Every game brings challenges, but to have the opportunity to play Canada, ranked No. 2 in the world, it’s just an opportunity that we don’t get often as New Zealand, being so far away from all the other countries.
“We’re hoping for a really good result, but we know that things aren’t going to go perfectly on the day, and there’s also going to be a lot of lessons that we’ll take away from the game.”
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The current obsession with playing four loosies in the back five didn’t work in 2024 when we were comprehensively beaten upfront by ENG (2x) & by IRE & CAN, & certainly won’t work this year.
Chelsea Bremner 181cms, needs to take the #5 jersey giving both height & bulk to the 2nd row. Maia Roos 179cms needs a proper grunter & proper lineout option at her side. Then move part-time lock Alana Bremner 177cms back to #6 to give height & bulk to the backrow. Both Sae 171cms & Tukuafu 172cms are midgets internationally & shouldn’t be onfield together, let alone both starting. Olsen-Baker 175cms & Mikaele-Tu'u 177cms both have the physicality to play at 6, 7 or 8.
Against AUS last week, our attacking lineout was crap at 44% success rate, our maul D wobbled, our scrum was tested at times, & we were outmuscled at ruck in patches. I’m expecting more of the same versus CAN if not for them to dominate upfront. That said, I’m also excited to see newbie Ma'ama Vaipulu 185cms get game time (presumably for Alana who I hope moves to #6 in place of one of the midgets).
The sooner Bunting & co ditch this “small ball” back five option, the better. Otherwise get ready to see the embarrassing results of 2024 repeated.
This will be tight
Should beat Canada. Its the English and French that are thecreal threats. Why are ourcwahine with few exceptions so small? Are there no big women playing rugby?
I think you’re underestimating Canada. They beat the Black Ferns in 2024, and have beaten France in both conducts of WXV1 so far. They are the #2 ranked side at the moment for good reason.
I also think in terms of style they are a team that can trouble the Ferns. It was notable last week that Australia’s pack had parity or perhaps even an edge in the setpiece, and Canada have probably the most physical starting pack in the world. They even held England for the first half of WXV1 last year, with England’s replacement forwards making the difference in the end.
I would expect Canada to try to starve NZ of primary possession, and if they succeed in doing that then they can contain the attacking threat and use their power to create scoring opportunities. It may not be enough, given the Ferns’ ability to score from anywhere, but I am expecting a hard fought game that will give the best indication of where both sides stand in the run up to RWC 2025.
As a Red Roses supporter I will be watching with interest - though on chasing play because it starts at 4.35am for us.
Looking forward to this match up!