Once again rugby news is bursting out all around the globe.
Here are a few of the items:
A Portia Woodman-Wickliffe retires from retirement. Worrying news for her opponents, except those who enjoy a challenge.
Her change of mind restores confidence to doubting Black Ferns supporters. They know the Fifteens squad will need all the strength and back-up supplies it can muster for the World Cup. Her ability to play centre as well as wing gives Allan Bunting welcome options.
Amongst a cupboard full of accolades she was named the 2020 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Decade.
B Some countries are closer to settling their squads for the World Cup than others. The Six Nations selectors will keep their powder dry till after the final round, but the Pacific Four quartet are naming squads that will bear an even closer resemblance to their final choices than the Europeans.
C Jo Yapp has listed 40 names for the run-up to the Pac-4 Series, including no fewer than eleven uncapped players. She’s taken a microscope to the Super W games, to spot potential additions to her squad. The hope must be that a goodly number of them prove to be up to the task.
For the moment she has to do without 7s players aiming for the SVNS finals in LA. There we have yet another example of the two codes treading on each other’s toes. Ouch!
It will be a good test of Yapp’s coaching skills to see how she manages the introduction of those outstanding 7s players to the 15s squad. There’s an unavoidable time restriction on when they’ll become available, so acquiring familiarity with 15s techniques will be a priority. But Yapp is glad to have the extra depth stars like Charlotte Caslick and the Levi sisters could provide.
Australia tend to come good in the big competitions, but, like the Kiwi Super Aupiki, the Super W is really limited in numbers of teams and scope to offer the sort of long-term development the PWR and Elite 1 do in England and France.
D The French team cleaned up the annual Under 18s Six Nations tournament once again. It brings us back to that perennial conundrum: how can France age-group sides be so all-conquering, while the elite side loses ground at the top of the world rugby rankings?
There are players in the current French 6N squad who cut their teeth in that age-group competition.
E The Los Angeles SVNS take place on 3 and 4 May. They provide the climax to a season of endeavour right around the globe.
Currently New Zealand are in pole position, ten points ahead of Australia (116/106), with France a distant third. Another World Championship is within the Black Ferns’ grasp.
Locating these finals on the west coast is another attempt to raise rugby awareness in a nation dripping with sporting activity. World Rugby has chosen the USA as one its most important targets for increased exposure to the game.
F Breaking news: I’m not sure anything similar has happened before. The Italy-Wales game won’t take place as advertised on Saturday, following the death of Pope Francis. While the Vatican makes arrangements for the funeral and a period of mourning, the Six Nations must take its place among so many other institutions in suspending its activities.
The 6N board cannot announce a new date till the position is clear. Then it must consult with the FIR and the WRU to ensure every detail is in place. Travel arrangements and accommodation will have to be sorted a second time.
The simplest alternatives would be Friday evening or Sunday, but circumstances may not permit.
