In an intriguing addition to the rugby calendar, the Black Ferns are due to meet a “Black Ferns XV” on 5 July at the Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei.
The game acts essentially as preparation for the O’Reilly Cup match against the Wallaroos, which takes place a week later at Wellington.
Since the BFs have never lost a game in this annual set-to, it’s an unacceptable thought for any Kiwi player to take part in a first loss. But above all it gives Allan Bunting and his management team the chance to decide if any further adjustments are needed to the RWC squad they have already pencilled in (list provided below).
The idea of two versions of a national team playing each other is by no means new. In the days before pro-rugby came into being, you could have all manner of variations on a theme: Probables v Possibles, North v South, and so on. These days national squads spend all their time competing against each other.
With the inbuilt lack of ready-made opposition, Bunting has taken the sensible step of setting part of his squad against another. We don’t yet know how the division will be made, but it’s less likely to be along the lines of First Choices v Second Choices. Far more sensible would be an even split of talent.
It will be a further chance to bring a verdict on the best pair of props available, the No 9 coming closest to Kendra Cocksedge’s standards, and balancing up the leading 15s backs (du Plessis, Brunt, Leti-I’iga, Vahaakolo) against the invading 7s players.
The Immediate Past
Bunting has reason to be concerned, since the BF’s recent record has been less than outstanding. While they have maintained their one-sided superiority over the Wallaroos, elsewhere it is less shiny. They needed a last-gasp try by Silvia Brunt (83rd minute!) to hold the Canadians to a 27-27 draw at home in Christchurch, and they haven’t beaten England since that well-known RWC final win in Auckland. As for France, they have gained more victories over them than any nation bar England.
Kiwi fans have been immensely buoyed by news of Sevens players being added to the strength. They are athletes of outstanding ability, but the coaches will concentrate on aspects of the game with which they are less familiar. Jorja Miller, now perched top of the Sevens tree, showed her adaptabilty and skills when appearing in an 80-minute game.
But the management will be all too aware of the competition facing her and her fellows in coming months.
The business of 7s players being (re-)introduced into the long-format game continues to fascinate. Why do some national coaches find it necessary to include them? Does it indicate a sense of shortcomings in the 15s players available? What percentage of them will make the transition successfully, while others may be found inadequate?
Why should the great Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe decide to come out of retirement and a happy family life to have a bash at another RWC?
The Path Ahead
A “Black Ferns XV” will undertake a two-match tour of South Africa; dates 26 July and 2 August.
Then the RWC pool-stage matches: 1 v Spain; 2 v Japan; 3 v Ireland.
So they have 160 minutes in which to warm up for what we must hope will be a thriller against the Irish at the Brighton & Hove Stadium (home to Japan’s men’s defeat of the Springboks!). Let’s hope the Irish are at full strength to aim for a third defeat of their worthy opponents.
Here’s a reminder of their RWC squad:
Chryss Viliko (Blues), Kate Henwood (Chiefs Manawa), Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Blues), Georgia Ponsonby (Matatū), Atlanta Lolohea (Blues), Vici-Rose Green (Chiefs Manawa), Tanya Kalounivale (Chiefs Manawa), Amy Rule (Matatū), Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (Chiefs Manawa), Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Blues), Alana Bremner (Matatū), Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (Blues), Dhys Faleafaga (Black Ferns Sevens), Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Blues), Layla Sae (Hurricanes Poua), Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Matatū), Kennedy Tukuafu (Chiefs Manawa), Jorja Miller (Black Ferns Sevens), Maia Joseph (Matatū), Iritana Hohaia (Hurricanes Poua), Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Black Ferns Sevens), Ruahei Demant (Blues), Hannah King (Matatū), Sylvia Brunt (Blues), Theresa Setefano (Black Ferns Sevens), Amy du Plessis (Matatū), Stacey Waaka (Black Ferns Sevens), Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Blues), Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues), Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Hurricanes Poua), Mererangi Paul (Chiefs Manawa), Braxton Sorensen-McGee (Blues) (32)
Afterthought
Once more South Island remains terra incognita. The Semenoff Stadium, used as one of two bases in the previous RWC, lies in the far north. Even the capital, Wellington, is felt to lie far from the beating heart of NZ rugby in the north.
