'One of the great experiences of my life': Smith 'proud' after RWC triumph
The Black Ferns’ World Cup triumph is an incredible story of redemption and resilience, as the team dared to dream under the brilliant tutelage of rugby guru Wayne Smith.
Smith, who won two World Cups with the All Blacks as an assistant coach, has undoubtedly cemented his legacy as one of the greatest rugby minds of all time after last night’s thrilling final.
When Smith was named as the new head coach of the Black Ferns in April, he faced an almighty challenge six-months out from a World Cup on home soil.
The Black Ferns had visited England and France on their end-of-season tour the November before, where they lost all four Test matches by emphatic margins.
New Zealand were beaten 43-12 in Exeter by the Red Roses, before losing again the week after 56-15 in Northampton – they faced an incredible challenge ahead of the sports premier event.
After years of dominance England had asserted their dominance over women’s rugby and appeared to be clear favourites to win the World Cup, while the form guide didn’t exactly favour New Zealand.
But with super coach Smith at the helm, the Black Ferns exceeded expectations to not only qualify for the final, but to defend their title.
A record-breaking attendance record of 42,579 packed the stands at New Zealand’s home of rugby for the decider, which Smith later described as “one of the great experiences of my life.”
“I was the head coach of the Crusaders. We were up here and won in ’98 against all odds against the champion Blues team. No one gave us a chance, I don’t think many people gave us a chance today,” Smith told reporters after the 34-31 win.
“This will go down as one of the great experiences of my life, like I love these women, I love what they’ve had to do to get there.
“I’ve got a great group of coaches here and everything they put into it these women buy into, and they go out and they provide it on the field.
“Whether we’re up or down they keep being true to what we’re trying to do. It’s not just me, I’ve got great coaches, I’ve got great girls.
“This is one of the great experiences of my life.”
While the World Cup proved to be a ground-breaking tournament for women’s rugby, what the Black Ferns did to inspire the country of New Zealand will be felt for years to come.
Playing in their World Cup opener against traditional rivals Australia at Eden Park, the women in black were spurred on to a famous win by a passionate and vocal kiwi crowd.
After scoring 209 points in their first four matches, the Black Ferns faced their toughest test of the cup so far against France.
But by this stage of the tournament, if it wasn’t already, the stadium of five million was in full voice – with the Black Ferns sneaking into the final by one-point after a thrilling Test.
Their sixth World Cup title. ??????
Remarkable.#RWC2021 #BlackFerns pic.twitter.com/tcexyzh8hT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 12, 2022
The final was another back-and-forth clash against World No. 1 England, but the hosts managed to hang on to win 34-31.
The team had revolutionised their game under super coach Smith, and hoisted the World Cup in triumph in front of more than 40,000 passionate supporters – a feat which seemed unlikely last November.
“I said to the team this morning I love them, I’m proud of them, I’ve never been more proud of a team,” Smith said.
“At the end of the day I didn’t really care today win or lose, it’s better to win than lose but we just wanted to go out there and play and be true to our DNA and what we’ve been trying to do.
“I’m not going to stay involved but I’ll be following these women for the rest of their careers. It’s not just the 23 that ended up on the field today, we have some I think global superstars in the other nine.
“Honestly there are so many good kids coming through in women’s rugby that it’s unbelievable, and I just think the futures great. I’m going to be following them but from a different position.”
Co-captain Ruahei Demant said Smith has helped give the playing group the “courage to play different” since he’s taken over as head coach.
“I actually remember the first camp Smithy came to, and I think the first night of the first camp we had a kicking strat session and it was the complete opposite to what I had individual been told,” Demant said.
“I remember when Smithy introduced himself to us and he said that he’s never followed the heard, and he always does things differently and that’s exactly the type of coach he is.
“I think the hardest challenge for us as players wasn’t the skill stuff, it was the mindset stuff. He challenged us.
“He definitely doesn’t do things by the book so that’s the greatest influence that Smithy has had on our team and the players that they selected throughout all our campaigns this year have shown that courage, the courage to play different.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments