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'The rugby comes naturally': The key to the Black Ferns' RWC success
Star centre Stacey Fluhler has revealed the key to the Black Ferns’ success following their epic World Cup run last year.
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The Black Ferns captured the hearts of a nation as they dared to dream of a once seemingly unlikely World Cup triumph in front of their home supporters.
New Zealand had lost two tests against both England and France during their end-of-season tour the year before; they were beaten by emphatic margins in all four matches.
World No. 1 England were the heavy favourites going into the tournament, while France appeared to pose the biggest threat to the Red Roses World Cup dreams.
But don’t forget about the hosts.
Under the tutelage of super coach Wayne Smith, who had won two men’s World Cups as an assistant coach with the All Blacks, the Black Ferns turned their form around in a big way.
The Black Ferns beat France in a thrilling semi-final at Eden Park, before recording an epic upset win over the Red Roses in the decider a week later.
New Zealand were champions of the women’s rugby world for a sixth time, and were more than deserving of that moniker.
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Speaking with British rugby magazine Rugby World, Stace Fluhler spoke about how important it was for the Black Ferns to get to know each other better off the field.
“We’re here for rugby, but we’re also here to enjoy each other’s company and have a good time. (So) get that right, the rugby comes naturally,” Fluhler told Rugby World, as reported by the All Blacks website.
“What made our World Cup win so special was that we had a very new team. I loved that stat about our whole starting pack having fewer caps than Sarah Hunter!
“Having a young, eager team who were keen to learn changed things.
“We obviously had experienced players there to help guide the team and share stuff from the past. But it was quite cool to have that change and be able to adapt to Smithy’s coaching.”
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Rugby guru Wayne Smith was appointed as a technical coach in April, but was later named the head coach of the Black Ferns after Glenn Moore resigned.
Smith, who was already widely considered one of the greatest rugby minds in New Zealand rugby history, was able to add to his legacy after a decorated stint with the team.
The Black Ferns may have made this coaching change about six months out from the World Cup, but as Fluhler discussed, “trusting that it will all work out” played a key role in their success.
“And no matter how much time you have, if you have a good plan, and you have a good vision, and everyone is into it, you can still be successful,” Fluhler added.
“We had a blank canvas. Smithy knew nothing about us, absolutely nothing.
“He’d never really watched women’s rugby – and he admitted that to us. But we had a lot of talks. Not just about technical and tactical rugby analysis but about life in general. That was crucial to him adapting his training style to us.
“So, for any team in the same boat, changing coach late, it’s about having the right process, the right people, and just trusting that it will all work out.”
More women’s rugby is right around the corner in New Zealand, with Super Rugby Aupiki set to kick off in late February.
Hurricanes Poua will host Chiefs Manawa at Levin Domain in the season opener on Saturday, February 25.
Matatu will also played Blues Women at Forsyth Barr Stadium on the same day.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments