You can take your pick of the most emotionally charged fixture of the coming weekend, but here’s my choice, Ireland v New Zealand.
Allan Bunting had paid the Irish the highest compliment: none of Amy Rule, Kennedy Tukuafu, Maria Joseph, Ayesha Leti-I’Iga or Theresa Setefano find a place in the starting XV.
He has given his 7s converts every chance to show their potential, from obvious choices like Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Jorja Miller to No 9, Rosaleaana Pouri-Lane. (This is in stark contrast to Jo Yapp’s policy with her Wallaroos selection).
The Black Ferns find themselves in a curious position: many hold them to be the winners of a seventh trophy; others point to ongoing deficiencies (line-out, scrum stability, especially when the bench is emptied; kicking skills, etc. Will Ruahei Demant be asked to kick deep out of defence at the first opportunity?
Then there’s their recent record: a loss and a last-minute draw against Canada; three losses to England and a loss against Sunday’s opponents, Ireland.
It’s easy to imagine a battle between Dannah O’Brien’s left boot and two of NZ’s back three, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Renee Holmes. Will those two (BSG on the wing again) plus Portia Woodman-Wickliffe maintain the defensive cohesion vital at this level?
Then there’s the Kiwi attack. That’s where Irish nightmares begin.
Ireland
The good news is Sam Monaghan’s recovery from a hip injury. But Scott Bemand is taking no risks with Aoife Wafer. He takes the long view: Ireland are safely through to the quarters; far wiser to save her for them and any other fixtures that may come Ireland’s way.
There are concerns. So much depends on DOB’s presence. If she disappears, only Stacey Flood is a plausible replacement in a key position. Neither Enya Breen nor Nicole Fowley find favour.
Both the (relatively) new English imports, El Perry and Grace Moore, are asked to start.
Fiona Tuite is another missing figure. She has been chief organiser of the line-out; presumably Monaghan will add that to her duties.
In summary, Bemand is not aiming flat out for victory on Sunday. If it comes, it will be all the sweeter.
Teams
New Zealand:
1 VILIKO 2 PONSONBY 3 KALOUNIVALE 4 ROOS 5 A. BREMNER 6 SAE 7 MILLER 8 MIKAELE TU’U 9 POURI-LANE 10 DEMANT 11 WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE 12 BRUNT 13 WAAKA 14 SORENSEN-McGEE 15 HOLMES
16 GREEN 17 HENWOOD 18 RULE 19 BAYFIELD 20 TUKUAFU 21 JOSEPH 22 SETEFANO 23 LETI-I’IGA
Ireland:
1 PERRY 2 N. JONES 3 DJOUGANG 4 CAMPBELL 5 MONAGHAN 6 MOORE 7 McMAHON 8 HOGAN 9 REILLY 10 O’BRIEN 11 COSTIGAN 12 HIGGINS 13 DALTON 14 PARSONS 15 FLOOD
16 MOLONEY-MACDONALD 17 O’DOWD 18 McGRATH 19 CORRI-FALLON 20 BOLES 21 LANE 22 McGILLIVRAY 23 MCGANN
Match Details
Date: Sunday 7 September
KO 14.45 (BST)
Venue: Brighton
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
