At last the door is unlocked. Simon Middleton has announced the team he thinks best placed to carry the flag into the knock-out stages. It looks devilishly strong.
The Chosen XV: 15. Helena Rowland, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (captain)
Bench: 16. Lark Davies, 17. Hannah Botterman, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Rosie Galligan, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Holly Aitchison, 23. Ellie Kildunne
It wasn’t precisely my choice, but was it yours? Of course it was!
Helena Rowland is given the No 15 shirt; it will suit her fine, but alters the 10-12 axis Middleton spoke of so warmly.
The one player to be promoted beyond her wildest dreams is Tatyana Heard. She has been playing thoroughly well all year, and has impressed the selectors enough to replace both Holly Aitchison (a direct rival for the shirt) and Ellie Kildunne, who have to wait their turn.
Any number of fiftieth caps have been won over recent months; Maria Magatti claims hers in Italy’s first ever quarter-final this weekend. But few can be more deserved than Sarah Bern’s. Still only 25, she missed long periods of activity through injury. She becomes one of several totally predictable choices.
Sarah Hunter breaks what looked like an unbeatable record. People were stunned when Rocky Clark cruised past Jason Leonard’s all-time England record of 114 caps. But now her own 137 will be overtaken. Middleton reserves the highest admiration for the England captain.
It means another bench wait for Poppy Cleall; that is where I take issue with the decision-makers. I also fancy we may see further adjustments to this 23 over the next two weeks.
The Wallaroos have not yet managed a win against the Red Roses in five attempts. Trans-Tasman rivalries will surely be put aside at Waikatere as a Kiwi crowd knows who to support.
Details:
Date: Sunday 30 October
Kick-off: 01.30 BST (most people’s guess; Britain switches to GMT in mid-game just as … (complete as desired, e.g. Marlie Packer scores her fifth try)
Venue: Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
UK TV Coverage: ITV1, 01.15.
The latest odds?
England 4/9
New Zealand 2/1
France 10/1
Canada 28/1
Australia 100/1
Believe them if you will.
