'Going to be magic': How semi-final thriller has prepared the Black Ferns for England
Rugby World Cup winner Mils Muliaina believes the Black Ferns will “take a lot out” of their semi-final against France, as they overcame immense pressure to qualify for the final.
The Black Ferns will look to defend their World Cup crown this Saturday at Eden Park against World No. 1 England, who are currently on a 30-Test win streak.
New Zealand booked their place in the decider with a thrilling 25-24 win over France, who had dominated the Black Ferns in two Tests just a year earlier.
France had the chance to win the Test in the dying stages, and qualify for their first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup final, as French flyhalf Caroline Drouin lined up a penalty attempt.
Drouin, who was otherwise impressive on the night, pulled her shot wide left, and the Black Ferns frantically held on until the full-time siren sounded.
Reminiscent of the historic one-point win over France in the World Cup final at Eden Park 11 years earlier, New Zealand rugby fans could breathe again as the ball was kicked into touch.
Muliaina, who was part of that drought-breaking World Cup winning All Blacks squad, said he was “glad” that the Black Ferns experienced the pressure of a hard-fought knockout Test.
“It’s probably actually fitting that it’s happened this way,” Muliaina said on The Breakdown.
“If you look at it historically, the Black Ferns have dominated World Cups… but the whole losing the end-of-year tour has got people involved again thinking ‘man we need to get behind our wahine and get them over the line.’
Caleb Clarke's position on the left wing has come under little scrutiny this year but that could be about to change. #AllBlacks #SCOvNZL
✍️ Tom Vinicombehttps://t.co/eIBu8QHjM2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 7, 2022
“That pressure and the gameplan that they actually implemented, and everything else that’s gone on as well, and to finally bring it together for this one game.
“I know it’s not quite over yet but I think they’re gonna take a lot out of that game yesterday because of the pressure they were under.
“When you get to finals footy, a lot of that will happen and I’m glad they experienced it and (have) come out the other end.
“We need to get behind them once again. One more game and our wahine can get up and it’s going to be magic.”
The Black Ferns had played France twice during their 2021 end-of-year tour, and lost both Tests by emphatic margins.
New Zealand were beaten convincingly in Pau 38-13, before taking the field again just a week later in Castres where they lost 29-7.
Samoan international Taylah Johnson said it was a redeeming moment for a lot of these players, who had overcome tough odds to win in front of their home crowd.
“It’s almost like redemption for a lot of those player as well,” Johnson said.
“After losing to them on the end-of-year tour last year, and then to be able to beat them in such a crucial game, it just kind of makes you flush what happened at that end-of-year-tour.
“France were the favourites heading into that game even on some of the odds so it was great to see New Zealand get up.”
New Zealand began their World Cup campaign against Trans-Tasman rivals Australia, who they’d recently played twice in August.
While the Black Ferns were deservedly favourites ahead of this clash at Eden Park, the Wallaroos shocked rugby world as they raced to an early 17-nil lead.
The Black Ferns eventually fought their way back, and scored 41 unanswered points as they got their tournament off to a flyer – although they certainly survived a scare.
Former New Zealand international Chelsea Semple said on The Breakdown that the “evolution” of this team throughout the World Cup has been crucial.
“I think that’s such a positive thing because we saw the Black Ferns in the opening Test against Australia, and it was the first time for a lot of those girls playing in front of a packed out stadium and we probably didn’t handle the pressure too well in the opening 20,” Semple said.
“To see the evolution of how these girls are adapting and being able to handle that coming into the later stages of this tournament is just so crucial, so important.
“I really feel for the French 10 because she is an outstanding player and she doesn’t miss kicks very often, so I know she’ll be hurting today. But can’t say I’m not happy that she did miss that one.”
The Black Ferns are potentially 80 minutes away from hoisting another Women’s Rugby World Cup, but they face an almighty Test against the Red Roses of England.
England are on a 30-Test win streak, although their win over Canada in their semi-final didn’t come easy by any means.
'Barring a gargantuan upset, the Red Roses will comfortably beat the Black Ferns'
Columnist Dan Gallan on why England should and win will the World Cup this weekend.#RWC2021 https://t.co/MFsgLYkKS7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 7, 2022
After racing out to an early 12-nil lead, Canada struck back with two tries of their own to level the scores.
The Red Roses ended up winning 26-19, and will be looking to continue their recent dominance over New Zealand in the biggest game of every World Cup cycle.
Before playing France on their 2021 end-of-year tour, the Black Ferns were beaten 43-12 by England in Exeter, and lost again the next week in Northampton 56-15.
Semple acknowledged that the Black Ferns would “have to step up another notch” against the Red Roses.
“I think Canada, wow, I was expecting a far bigger score line. I thought England would have put a lot more points on them but they were there to play and I haven’t seen Canada play that well in a long time.
“They just played with absolutely no fear. They didn’t care they were coming up against a team who had won 29 games on the trot.
“They played with a love of heart. In terms of England, they didn’t do anything surprising.
“The England girls we know what they’re good at, it’s their attacking kicking, their territory kicking is outstanding, it’s the best in the women’s game, so I think we’ll have to go with the same back three that started.
“Not too many surprises from England but we know we’re going to have to step up another notch again.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
8 Go to comments