The strong culture that binds the Black Ferns together
It’s no surprise the Black Ferns have the reputation as one of rugby’s premier female sides.
At least, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been offered an insight to the culture that helps drive the Black Ferns to be the best they can be.
The Black Ferns didn’t become five-time world champions without having a strong sense of culture that unified them en route to those titles, and it’s that sense of unity that is spoken highly of by the current crop of players.
“The Black Ferns team culture… It’s quite a hard thing to describe. It’s more a feeling,” Black Ferns lock Eloise Blackwell said while speaking with Healthspan Elite.
“Sacrificing things, working hard for something, turning up for your mates, being accountable – all really important characteristics that can really drive a team.”
Ruahei Demant, a Black Ferns utility back, echoed Blackwell’s sentiments as she described her teammates as sisters.
“In sport, in rugby, I think the word ‘sis’ is thrown around a lot,” the 10-Test international said.
“People call each other sis all the time, and I think, in our team, it’s meant. People mean it. People treat each other like they’re sisters.
“It’s a culture of being open. People can be vulnerable and people can be open to create trust.”
Demant added that culture also carries with it an expectation that those within the Black Ferns are held to account to uphold the standards required of them to be the best in the world.
“Being there for each other. Sometimes it’s a good thing because you have each other’s back. Sometimes it’s a bad thing because it means you can call someone out.
“You want to be able to look your teammate in the eye and know that you’ve got their back and they’ve got your back, that we’re living, breathing those standards all the time.”
It’s that demand of yourself and your teammates that keeps makes the Black Ferns squad such an enjoyable environment to be a part of, according to long-standing halfback Kendra Cocksedge.
“I’ve been in there a long time and the reason I come back is because of the girls and the environment that they create,” the 53-Test international said.
“[Ex-Black Ferns captain] Fiao’o Fa’amausili retired and came back because you kind of miss that environment and almost have, not a fear, but [you think about] what life will be outside of that environment.”
Being held to account for their training and playing performances is one of many ways in which the Black Ferns thrive in the culture they have developed.
Another fundamental aspect that enables the Black Ferns’ culture to flourish is the team haka.
Learning and understanding the importance of Ko Uhia Mai is vital in bringing together and unifying a squad that is as diverse as they come.
Composed of players who have many different backgrounds, the haka is a focal point of the Black Ferns’ identity, and its significance isn’t lost on the playing contingent.
“I reckon we would dedicate just as much time to the haka, or practicing the haka, as we would at training,” Blackwell, a 43-test veteran, said.
“I remember my first time performing it. I don’t think I knew all the words. I just got lost in the moment.
“When you’re out there on the field, you draw on the strength of others and you can feel their mana and everything.”
Demant said that before she debuted for the Black Ferns, watching and learning the haka word-for-word was her favourite part of the game.
Now a part of the Black Ferns squad, she said the haka gives her a sense of pride in representing her country.
“The haka grounded me, and it always does before games. It grounds me in that moment. I love laying down that challenge to other teams and I love the mana that it gives me to go out and play for my country.”
Demant added that performing the haka is representative of how the Black Ferns integrate Maori culture into everyday life when the squad is in camp.
“Coming together is always so exciting because we’re so diverse,” she said.
“What brings us together is our Maori culture. We always assembled on a karakia. We always have waiata, haka, and it’s always something that unites us wherever we go.
“Whether we’re here in Aotearoa, and especially when we’re away, it’s our point of difference and our culture of this country is something that unites us together.”
Given the array of personalities and backgrounds within the squad, the unification of the Black Ferns players is imperative to their success on the world stage.
However, being able to call upon the side’s Maori culture has eased that process and helped create a welcoming environment for those coming into the side.
“There’s mothers and we’ve got high school kids,” Blackwell said.
“When you come back into the Black Ferns environment, it’s so accepting of all of that and somehow it mixes into some crazy fruit salad mix bag of cultures and laughing and singing.
“It really is a special environment to be involved in.”
Healthspan Elite has been a trusted sports nutrition supplier to the All Blacks for a number of years. Last year the partnership was made official, making Healthspan Elite the Official Sports Nutrition Partner of the All Blacks, with the addition of the Black Ferns this month.
To find out more about Healthspan Elite, how they support the nutritional requirements of both teams and which products they use, click here if you’re in the UK or here for New Zealand.
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