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‘We’ve said it all along’: Christie on confidence driving Black Ferns
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Black Ferns assistant coach Tony Christie isn’t spending any time thinking about who the favourites and underdogs might be ahead of Friday’s semi-final against Canada, as the defending champions carry a confident mindset into the penultimate round of the knockout stage.
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New Zealand are one win away from securing their place in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, with a sold-out crowd at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium expected for the decider on Saturday, September 27.
Kennedy Tukuafu and Ruahei Demant will lead the Black Ferns into battle as co-captains, as the New Zealanders look to defeat Canada for the first time since 2023, having lost one and drawn another on home soil in the last 16 months.
HSBC SVNS Series star Jorja Miller will not take the field in this match at Bristol’s Ashton Gate, with the flanker ruled out of the semi-final. While Miller’s absence has been a big talking point for the Black Ferns over the last 48 hours, the coaching staff remain upbeat.
Without revealing why Miller is unavailable, Director of Performance Allan Bunting told reporters on Wednesday that Tukuafu and Layla Sae offer their “own special gifts” in the matchday 23. That full-squad mentality was echoed by Christie on the eve of the semi-final.
“We’re really confident in our team,” Christie said at Ashton Gate.
“We’ve said it all along, that we need not only the 32 but the 42 squad that we have back at home. I think you’ve seen with some injuries that we have the quality to come in, so yeah I’m really confident.”
New Zealand’s starting XV boasts an impressive lineup of players who have competed in high-pressure matches like this semi-final. There are Rugby World Cup winners and Olympic gold medallists in the side, and some have even done both.
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Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Stacey Waaka and Theresa Setefano have both won two World Cup titles and are dual Olympic gold medallists in sevens. While Miller isn’t playing, the backrower also won gold in Paris in 2024, as did halfback Risi Pouri-Lane.
Georgia Ponsonby and Maia Roos are among the forwards who helped the Black Ferns win the top prize in women’s rugby 15s three years ago, as the New Zealanders brought an end to England’s incredible winning streak with a thrilling triumph at Eden Park.
Demant was named the Player of the Final that night, while fullback Renee Holmes also started that decider. Amy Rule and Chelsea Bremner also add World Cup-winning experience off the bench, but there’s also a mix of youth, including Braxton Sorensen-McGee on the wing.
New Zealand booked their spot in the semi-finals 46-17 win over South Africa, but the full-time score doesn’t tell the full story. The Black Ferns showed character in that match, rallying after going into the sheds at 10-all, before running away with a confidence-building win.
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“Through our preparation, you see those athletes really stand up with their messaging and also calm,” Christie reflected when asked about the importance of experience.
“If you saw any of the footage at half-time of our leaders in particular in that game, we’re under a bit of pressure but what was really impressive was how they brought the group together, their body language, their calm, clear message.
“When they came into half-time, I know there’s been a lot said about the coaches, but it started with the girls. They had the solutions which was really pleasing for us as coaches.”
