Black Ferns' RWC hero reflects on 'really important' moment
Joanah Ngan-Woo’s heroics in the dying stages of this year’s World Cup final at Eden Park will go down in history as one of the greatest moments in New Zealand rugby history.
The Black Ferns dared to dream of a seemingly unlikely World Cup triumph on home soil, less than a year after a disastrous end-of-season tour to England and France.
But New Zealand’s team completed their incredible redemption arc in front of more than 42,000 passionate fans at the famous Auckland venue.
Coming up against World No. 1 England, who were on a 30 Test unbeaten streak going into the decider, the Black Ferns were viewed by many as the underdogs.
The Red Roses raced out to a commanding 14-nil lead early-on, and appeared to be in control before winger Lydia Thompson was red carded.
While the epic Test was still a seesawing contest, with England’s rampaging rolling maul proved unstoppable, the World Cup dreams of a nation ultimately came down to one moment.
England set up for an attacking lineout close to New Zealand’s line in the dying stages of the final, and would’ve been odds on favourites to break kiwi hearts as they setup.
But Ngan-Woo wasn’t going to let that happen.
The star second rower made a championship winning steal at the lineout, as the Black Ferns kicked the ball out and held on for a three-point win.
Speaking about her “really important” moment earlier this week, Ngan-Woo humbly reflected on the moment she’s practiced “every single day at training.”
“I guess it was really important, but that’s my bread and butter,” Ngan-Woo told Newshub earlier this week.
“It’s what we do every single day at training. I guess that was my moment to do what I’ve always done.
“I’m so happy it was something that I’m used to.”
The Black Ferns’ incredible rise from the ashes of a disastrous end-of-season tour was an inspirational tale which captured the hearts of a nation.
When the Black Ferns kicked-off their tournament against rivals Australia at Eden Park, it was a momentous occasion for women’s rugby – but the magnitude of the event was still yet to be realised.
The support behind this team grew and grew with every Test, as New Zealand dared to dream alongside their team.
Fans packed the stands at a sold-out Eden Park for the semi-final against France – a Test which was reminiscent of the All Blacks’ triumph 11 years earlier – and did so again for the epic final.
Records were broken and dreams were realised as the group fought valiantly for New Zealand’s sixth women’s World Cup crown.
“It’s been absolutely crazy,” she added.
“There’s been article and interviews about the hand, the ‘claw.’
“I just laugh at it, I’m like, ‘it’s just a lineout guys.’
“But it’s been amazing, especially the support of New Zealand.
“It’s just amazing, the experience we had over the whole World Cup. It definitely hasn’t sunk in – and I don’t think it will for the next couple of months.”
Former All Black flyhalf Stephen Donald has etched his name into rugby folklore with his heroics at the same stadium 11 years earlier, but New Zealand had a new hero in Ngan-Woo.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod last month, six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall said the lock will “go down in history” for her heroics.
“The preparation that they would’ve done to give the girls the confidence to be able to do that, just seeing the right pictures and they feel like they can execute that under pressure and do that, I think that led into this decision of them trying tog et the ball.
“If you get that wrong England probably score a try there.
“It was a massive call for them to be able to do it… she’ll go down in history, Ngan-Woo, with the likes of Stephen Donald that played to win a World Cup.
“Great to see they got the execution right in the most pressure situation in the final.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar 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.
9 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.
35 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.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments