The World Cup – First Round
The great news is that Eden Park is sold out.
The capacity has been capped at 40,000 as Auckland hasn’t yet shed concerns about Covid-19. Masks are everywhere to be seen, and in the England camp both Sadia Kabeya (now recovered) and Shaunagh Brown (still in isolation, so absent from recent team photos) have suffered time in isolation.
Here’s a glance at some of the opening games.
France and South Africa
The two sides have the honour of providing the first match of the tournament at the iconic Eden Park.
France saw off the Boks 46-3 last November in Vannes, so Thomas Darracq sensed he could try out the odd new combination or two while waiting for more testing confrontations later. In the continued absence of Gaëlle Hermet, Céline Ferer is honoured with a second captaincy.
One upsetting weakness over recent games has been the lack of second-half points. Here’s a chance to put things right.
The Boks’ mood is upbeat after some encouraging wins. Eddie Myners, the forwards coach, sees the maul as one of his team’s strongest weapons. but overall the Boks know they can’t expect much from this encounter. They are just delighted to be back at the top table.
Fiji and England
Fijiana 15’s Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula made an interesting call as he chose his starting XV to face England. He said he had chosen the strongest possible pack since England ‘are mostly a forwards-oriented team…’
If he had been watching the last France-England game in Bayonne, you could understand his reasoning, but a run of wins by 50+ points in recent Red Rose games hints at strengths elsewhere.
The Fijians have never played any of their pool opponents, but can be sure of almost 100% support from a vociferous crowd. Excitement awaits.
Team:
1 Iris Verebalavu, 2 Vika Maturugu, 3 Siteri Rasolea*, 4 Asinate Serevi, 5 Sereima Leweniqila, {captain) 6 Sulita Waiseg, 7 Ema Adivitaloga, 8 Karalaini Naisewa, 9 Lavena Cavuru, 10 Merewalesi Rokouono, 11 Vitalina Naikore, 12 Sesenieli Donu, 13 Rajieli Laqeretabua, 14 Alowesi Nakoci, 15 Roela Radiniyavuni
Bench:
16, Bitila Tawake, 17 Bulou Vasuturaga, 18 Mereoni Vonosere, 19 Merevesi Ofakimalino, 20 Raijieli Daveua, 21 Akosita Ravato, 22 Ana Maria Roqica, 23 Melaia Matanatabu
*debut
One familiar name to English eyes here, Rajieli Laqeretabua (aka Rachel), of Saracens fame.
Simon Middleton is taking no chances with his own team selection. He knows how unpredictable the Fijiana Drua game will prove. They may well manage to score points against the world’s top team whose defences are not totally secure. But common sense tells us that the Red Roses will be heading for a resounding victory.
New Zealand and Australia
It’s revealing to hear Wayne Smith talk of his selection for the Black Ferns’ opening contest against the Wallaroos. So short has been his time with the squad that he is still looking at combinations.
But, wise old bird as he is, he says: ‘I don’t pick the team, they pick themselves’.
Fortunately for Smith and his Ferns, their first opponents have yet to beat them. It has been Australia’s misfortune that geography decided they must face the Black Ferns time after time – and with minimal returns. At least their latest contest showed how far they have come in a short while (only 12 tests since the last RWC). They went down a mere 22-14 in Adelaide.
But they have had so little time together that the fixture in New Zealand’s fortress can only go one way. The Wallaroos’ aim must be to make sure of the other games in Pool A, against Wales and Scotland.
Scotland and Wales meet a (European) day later in Whangarei, in the crucial, most unpredictable contest of the weekend.
