'Could be in Egypt for all we care': Red Roses focused ahead of RWC final
History will be made at Eden Park this weekend as the Black Ferns look to defend their World Cup crown in an epic final against a record-breaking England side.
The World Cup final has sold out, with the Black Ferns expected to receive plenty of support as they chase rugby immortality in front of their home fans this Saturday.
But the Red Roses, who are on a 30-Test unbeaten streak, don’t seem too concerned about taking on the defending champions in front of their home fans.
England fullback Ellie Kildunne, who is potentially a few days away from playing in her first World Cup final, said she’d be prepared to play anywhere – even Egypt.
“That is something that goes down in history. New Zealand in New Zealand, in a rugby country. They’re such a good team and they’ve got a long list of things they’ve achieved,” Kildunne told RugbyPass.
“It doesn’t matter that we’re in New Zealand right now, we could be in England, we could be in France, we could be in Egypt for all we care. It’s the 80-minutes that we’re focused on.
“It’d be amazing that it’d be in New Zealand but we’ve got to get job one done, which is get on the pitch and get the points and then get the trophy and go home.”
World No. 1 England survived a scare against Canada last weekend in their semi-final to qualify for the final.
The Red Roses raced out to an early 12-nil lead after tries to Marlie Packer and Abigail Dow, before the underdogs fought their way back to level the scores.
While a valiant Canadian team never took the lead, they certainly had their chances to potentially pull off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
England were only leading by nine points when Vickii Cornborough was yellow carded in the 54th minute, but Canada failed to score during that period.
But Canada did score next, reducing the deficit to just four points, but that’s as close as they got.
“We practice every day to be put in that position and come in with high pressure,” she said.
“Canada were a very, very good team, are a very good team, and super strong defensively and in their attack, they just kept the ball for so long.
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“That’s why we train to be able to keep our nerves and then hold it together in times where it matters, and as a team we did very well to keep them out because they had the ball for a long time.
“I think it’s a credit to use as a team to be able to keep another team out when they’ve got that (much ball).”
England are potentially 80-minutes away from winning their first women’s Rugby World Cup since 2014, where they beat Canada 21-9 in Paris.
They had the chance to go back-to-back during the last World Cup in 2017, but lost to the Black Ferns in the final 41-32.
There are players in the squad who were involved in those games, including star Sarah Hunter who was involved in both, who have helped guide the current squad throughout this Cup.
“I think they’ve all given us insights, but every World Cup is different from the last.
“As much as they’ve been in multiple World Cups, they’ve been very good at treating this like a new one and guiding us, and being there for the sport.
“Almost help you along with the emotions and give you a bit of an idea of the ups and downs that are gonna come from being away from your family, and the pressures that are going to be there.
“it’s just really helped us as a team to get a bit of an idea of how we’re going to be feeling because it’s a first for quite a few of us here.”
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 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.
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.
36 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
36 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
36 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.
36 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.
36 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.
36 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.
36 Go to comments