Black Ferns coach facing tough decisions
Wayne Smith is revered for his rugby knowledge but figuring out which Black Ferns rookies to stick with will be an enormous challenge for the master coach in the weeks ahead.
In the three tests since Smith took over as coach, alongside assistants Wesley Clarke and Whitney Hansen, the Black Ferns have markedly improved with each victory in the Pacific Four Series this month.
The world champion Kiwi team clinched the Pacific title with Saturday’s 50-6 rout of the United States in Whanga¯ rei in dreadful, wet conditions, but the rain couldn’t deter their freespirited attacking game that clicked so clinically in the far north.
‘‘In rain like that, to score 50 points, that’s attacking intent. It wasn’t perfect, but you’ve got to be proud with that,’’ Smith said.
It was their third test in as many as weeks and with different lineups throughout the series, the coaches have blooded 11 test debutantes (about a third of the squad).
Midfielder-turned-prop Lucy Anderson and hooker Natalie Delamere were the latest two on Saturday and Smith said there will be some tough decisions to make when it comes up to finalising the squad for their next tests against Australia in August.
As well as the rookies, several experienced Black Ferns are due back after being given extra time to get in the best nick for a season which culminates with the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in October and November.
Among those set to return are forwards such as last year’s captain Les Elder, former vice-captain Eloise Blackwell, last season’s Black Fern of the year Kennedy Simon, 38-test prop Aleisha-Pearl Nelson and 2017 World Cup winner Charmaine McMenamin.
Add sevens stars, such as Kelly Brazier, Portia Woodman and Stacey Fluhler, who might be available after next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and there is a trio of backs in contention who have already won every major honour in the game.
They would dearly love a chance to play at the first women’s World Cup in their homeland.
That’s why a star like Ruby
Tui switched from sevens to 15s and looked brilliant in a two-try performance against Canada in Auckland the previous weekend.
Smith paused when asked if he knew precisely which players were in his mind for the World Cup, starting against Australia at Eden Park on October 8.
‘‘Maybe,’’ Smith said. ‘‘We all love this team. It’s vibrant, the girls are really engaged, they love the jersey, and it will be difficult with this young group, when you love what they’re doing, because we’ve got some tough decisions coming up.
‘‘There are some very good players coming back and the sevens girls will be available soon.
‘‘But there is only one group of girls who’ve performed on the paddock [in June’s tests] and it’s this group.’’
A trial match in three weeks for many of the country’s best women’s players could be decisive.
Of the 11 test debutantes, tighthead prop Tanya Kalounivale has impressed and Chelsea Bremner has been solid at lock.
Rookie loose forwards Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Tafito Lafaele have put their hands up – the former was player of the match on debut against Australia in
Tauranga – and Amy du Plessis has been excellent in the midfield in her first starts against Canada and the United States.
Smith didn’t even know who Auckland midfielder Sylvia Brunt was until just before the series.
He was prompted to give the 18-year-old an opportunity after a text message from Tui and the Mount Albert Grammar School graduate has looked unfazed in their wins over Canada and the United States.