John Mitchell has his own way of producing a match-day squad. I hope his players approve of it.
Once again he lists a large group from whom a final selection will be made (see below). This time it’s 35-strong, so a round dozen are going to be disappointed on the big occasion.
If I’m anything of a psychologist, I reckon he won’t be taking a single chance. He’s in a unique position, the first ever Kiwi to send a Red Roses side out against his own country. I’ll leave you to imagine the consequences of another Black Ferns’ win over England in the present circumstances.
In the later stages of his England reign Simon Middleton said his aim was to have three or four world-class players in every position. ‘World-class’ is a nebulous term, but we got his meaning. Over the past few years we may claim that target has been achieved.
Then comes a fascinating question: has Mitchell ever been in this position before? Even in the palmiest days of the All Blacks it’s doubtful if he or any other AB head coach had such a spread of talent to pick from.
His policy since he took over Middleton’s job has been to keep large training squads in being; no question of fining them down gradually to a final 23 – except perhaps in his head or in private discussions with his assistants.
There he needs careful advice from the women on his staff, Lou Meadows and especially Sarah Hunter. The way men and women react to team inclusion or exclusion can be tellingly different. Players keep getting called back to training sessions – I make this the seventh in the summer sequence – but only 23 will have the privilege of facing the Black Ferns at Twickenham, and only 30 will fly across the Atlantic.
Can the staff ensure that personal disappointment stays within limits?
The squad:
Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Georgia Brock, Delaney Burns, Mackenzie Carson, Poppy Cleall, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward
19
Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Katie Buchanan, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Mo Hunt, Ellie Kildunne, Sarah McKenna, Phoebe Murray, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Emma Sing, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Ella Wyrwas
16
Comment
Among the forwards only Georgia Brock remains uncapped, but the net remains wider for the backs. Katie Buchanan, Phoebe Murray and Bo Westcombe-Evans wait in hope for a first call-up.
For the reasons I’ve stated above, I rate their chances as low. Mitchell did offer a bench place to Lilli Ives Campion last weekend, but neither Abbie Ward nor Cath O’Donnell (more permanently) was available in the second row. And Poppy Cleall could always slot in there.
The management seem to have a firm notion of their preferred back-line, and few would dispute their choice. Claudia Macdonald hopes to be back by around Christmas; otherwise it’s only the die-hard Gloucester-Hartpury supporters who remain deeply dissatisfied with the ongoing exclusion of Emma Sing. But where would you place her, if not full-back? Ellie Kildunne caused the Black Ferns a heap of trouble last time, and it will be splash news if she yields her place. At least Sing is safely on the list.
Looking through the other end of the telescope, we might wonder how many of the uncapped players will be honoured during the next Six Nations campaign. To my mind the younger generation, Bo Westcombe-Evans and Katie Buchanan, look more likely, but even they may need to profit from untimely injuries to established players.
Selection problems mount up. Will Sarah Bern supplant Maud Muir; or Lark Atkin-Davies Amy Cokayne? May I assume Abbie Ward will resume her rightful place at No 5? If she is reinstated, what happens to Morwenna Talling? A return to No 6 or does Maddie Feaunati retain her place?
I recall doubting whether Sarah Hunter would retain her place for the delayed RWC. She did, but now I ask a similar question about Marlie Packer. She plays 7, not 6, so has to travel further at pace than her fellow-flanker. Can she keep that going right through the coming WXV? An overwhelming response shouts Yes! But will Mitchell prove as loyal to his captain as Middleton was? Packer could even switch from 7 to 6 and let a restored Sadia Kabeya or the newer prospect Feaunati rule the open flank.
Only five props are listed, so there’s room on the plane for one more.
Sarah McKenna makes a welcome return from her duties as assistant coach to the Under 20s and playing for Sarries for the 5,000th time. Let’s hope for her.
The squad will meet again at the Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury, helping to save the RFU a few more copper coins in expense.
Black Ferns
For them this will be a rare trip abroad. Their most travelled path is to Australia where they beat the Wallaroos with unerring success. These days they know they need to take on the big guns, England, Canada and France, in order to keep their standing. The Maple Leafs are not on their itinerary this time.
That’s why it surprises me that they aren’t meeting les Bleues in France. They received the warmest of welcomes three years ago, even if the two defeats were a downer. But this year’s ‘European tour’ amounts to that single game against the Red Roses, as if it’s a rehearsal for another World Cup final win.
Taking the most objective view possible, we must believe another Red Roses‘ win is the likely outcome. Stats can tell lies, but a ranking gap of 7.58 points is huge. Compare it with the men’s equivalent: South Africa’s lead over Ireland is 1.46 points.
Mitchell may talk of the need to rise to New Zealand’s standards, but that claim needs a lot of explanation. If it’s just a gee-up, fair enough. But in the perspective of recent history it’s quite inappropriate.
Roll up, roll up!
There have been no loud publicity blurbs about “Last few tickets available” for the about-to-be-renamed Allianz Stadium. After last week’s modest gate at Kingsholm, we are left wondering whether the bubble has burst, and a full house at Twickenham next year will prove one dream too many.
