Spirit has simple plan to subdue Harbour Championship semifinal

Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 4.35pm

GET low. Push hard. Stay focused. Play to your strengths.

Simple enough messages, and for the most part the Otago Spirit has stuck to the script. Coach Scott Manson has been keen to hammer those points again this week.

His side is preparing for its biggest game of the year. There is an even bigger one next week if it can get passed North Harbour in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship semifinal at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.

The Spirit is unbeaten this season, so it will take plenty of confidence into the fixture.

But North Harbour had some success at pressuring the Spirit when the sides meet in round six.

Otago recorded a 3822 win, which sounds comfortable enough. But North Harbour put some acid on during the set phase, particularly in the scrum.

‘‘We definitely got pushed around at scrumtime, that’s for sure,’’ Manson said.

‘‘There was probably a couple of things that they were doing and were getting away with that we’ve got to try and nullify.

Otago: Kiana Wereta, Atawhai Hotene, Cheyenne Cunningham, Keely Hill, Olivia Fowler, Sheree Hume, Georgie Cormick, Gemma Millar, Leah Miles, Zoe Whatarau, Julia Gorinski, Ella Gomez, Paige Church, Tegan Hollows (captain), Isla Pringle. Reserves: Kristi Kerr, Lucy Cahill, Rebekah Wairau, Bella Digby, Grace Carroll, Nicole Kennedy, Te Atawhai Campbell, Lucy Hall.

‘‘But, also, we know that we are a smaller team, so we’ve got to get our body position right first.’’

That means getting low. Getting low when you are carrying the ball, getting low when you are tackling and getting nice and low in the scrum.

The rest should take care of itself. If Otago can get parity, then it can unleash a potent backline which has shown a lot creativity this season.

Halfback Georgia Cormick and first five Sheree Hume have a nice combination, as do midfielders Keely Hill and Cheyenne Cunningham.

The Spirit will welcome back veteran lock Julia Gorinski. She picked up a knee injury during the 5515 win against Taranaki on August 7, her 50th match for the Spirit.

Hooker and captain Tegan Hol

lows will reach the milestone tomorrow.

The pair will be key in how Otago performs in those crucial set pieces.

Powerful No 8 Kristi Kerr has also returned from injury and will take a spot on the bench.

She is a strong ball carrier and will add some impact in the second half.

Backup prop Rebekah Wairau is under an injured cloud, but it is hoped she can get through a 15 minute stint at the end of the game.

The Spirit will wear black armbands to recognise the passing of Peter Goomes and Lillian Jury.

Goomes is Spirit lock Ella Gomez’s grandfather, while Lillian Jury is assistant coach Kane Jury’s nana and she is also a great aunt to Otago No 8 Gemma Millar.

CHRISTCHURCH: Black Ferns and Canterbury stalwart Kendra Cocksedge yesterday announced her impending retirement from all rugby.

Cocksedge, the most capped Black Fern of all time, will hang up her boots following this year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

The 34yearold halfback, who is set to play her 99th match for Canterbury in tomorrow’s Farah Palmer Cup semifinal against Wellington, said the time was right to focus on the next chapter in her life.

She was first recognised in 2006 with selection for the Taranaki and Hurricanes Schools, where her resourceful, intuitive halfback play, allround skills and goalkicking (and dropkicking) ability first came to the fore.

Among her many gongs, Cocksedge was awarded World Rugby Women's Player of the Year in 2015, and in the same season she was named New Zealand Rugby Women's Player of the Year, mainly for her performances in the Women's Super Series in Canada.

Since debuting for the Black Ferns in 2007 as a teenager, Cocksedge has gone on to win two Rugby World Cups, in

2010 and 2017, as well as clinching a Rugby World Cup Sevens crown in 2013, playing three tournaments in all for the Black Ferns Sevens.

In 2019, she captained the Black Ferns for the first time against France.

‘‘From the age of 4 I dreamt of being an All Black, until I realised it simply wasn't possible. However, at 19, my rugby dreams were realised, and I was named in the Black Ferns.

‘‘After 15 years in the black jersey, I sit here and reflect on my childhood dream. I feel incredibly fortunate for the experiences rugby has given me. I've had more opportunities than I can count and have had incredible people alongside me who've inspired me to be my best every day.

‘‘I never could have imagined I'd achieve all that I have, and I am so excited about the future of women's rugby and the new generation of players, coaches, and referees.

‘‘I have decided 2022 will be my last year playing the game I love. However, it's not over for me yet. I have a massive job ahead of me. I am determined to finish on a high, wearing the red and black in the Farah Palmer Cup. I will also do all I can to earn my spot in the Black Ferns and fulfil my dream of playing in a Rugby World Cup on my home turf.

‘‘It has been my greatest honour to represent my club, my province and my country.

‘‘There are so many people who have contributed to my journey. I didn't earn the black jersey alone. I thank you all for your support and aroha.

‘‘I hope I have done you proud.’’

Cocksedge first moved to Canterbury in 2007 and made her debut for Canterbury at the age of 19. She has also played 144 games for University of Canterbury.

Cocksedge is the leading points scorer for Canterbury with 1060 points.

If Canterbury are to make the final of the 2022 Farah Palmer Cup and Cocksedge is available for selection, she will become the second women's player in Canterbury to play 100 games, following on from her great mate Steph Te OhaereFox.

She has played 64 times for the Black Ferns and scored 382 points. — RNZ

❛ I never could have imagined I'd achieve all that I have, and I am so excited about the future of women's rugby and the new generation of players, coaches, and referees