“Of course the Black Ferns are going to win, they always do.”
Not quite true; they’ve won only six out of nine trophies. They had to wait till 1988 for their first, and in 2014 the Irish beat them in the biggest giant-killing act the tournament has known. But for much of the period 1991-2025 the Ferns have shown the way.
A downward path
Either side of their dramatic win in Auckland in 2022 the Ferns have suffered unwonted losses. The European tour was an unmitigated disaster (0-4), Wayne Smith was brought in to right the ship. It helped earn him a knighthood.
Since Eden Park the world champions have lost to England (twice), Canada and Ireland (a second time). In the two WXV1 tournaments they have finished 3rd and 4th out of six.
The way up
Since February 2023 Allan Bunting has been assiduously engaged on a repair job. He has gathered around him an eminent group of assistants. To my mind the most important of them is Ben Cron, son of Mike, the acknowledged master of all scrummaging matters. This is where I see the one potential missing element in the squad: players who can not only dominate in the tight but shine in the open. This concerns primarily the front-row choices.
Most public attention has been fixed on the backs, not least since the (re-)introduction of players from the successful 7s squad. Leading the way inevitably is Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. No introduction needed.
Now she has a much younger rival in the fame-stakes, Jorja Miller, who threatens to take the RWC by storm.
Till now Bunting has placed her on the flank; she might yet find her home out behind.
An even younger starlet is Braxton Sorensen-McGee. She had proved good enough to displace Renee Holmes at 15. She has yet to prove her defences as commanding as her attack.
Ruahei Demant remains the guiding star at 10. As I hunt for further weaknesses, I wonder what would happen should she suffer an early injury. Bunting’s answer is to recall the great Kelly Brazier to the ranks. Already a double RWC winner, she would be an experienced replacement, but at 35 could she be relied on to maintain the pace? I assume she is seen as a late substitute when the co-captain deserves a rest.
The bookies nearly all have NZ as the second favourites; Canada cast to the winds.
The Red Roses will have the huge advantage of a full house at Twickenham, should they scrape through to the final. The Black Ferns were there recently and lost.
That’s for tomorrow’s offering. For today the Ferns remain a defiant threat.
Their fixtures
24 August v Spain (York)
31 August v Japan (Exeter)
7 September v Ireland (Brighton)
