Black Ferns chase glory on a world scale
The Black Ferns flew out for the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Tuesday. Rugby writer Shaun Eade takes an overview of everything that you need to know as New Zealand chase a fifth World Cup title.
THE PAST
The first women’s World Cup was played in Wales and won by the United States, who beat England 19-6 in the final. New Zealand settled for a share of third place with France.
Three years later, the teams headed to Scotland where England lifted the title, getting revenge over the United States 38-23 in the final. New Zealand did not send a team.
In 1998 the tournament was hosted in Netherlands. New Zealand romped through the competition unbeaten, taking down former champions England 44-11 in the semifinals and the United States 44-12 in the final.
New Zealand then defended their title in Spain in 2002 where a convoluted format was used. The Kiwis won all four of their matches including the final 19-9 against England.
The Kiwis then went three in a row when the won the 2006 title in Canada. The beat England 25-17 in the final.
England may have been hosts of the tournament in 2010, but that was not enough to change their fortunes. New Zealand got up 13-10 in the final over the hosts.
But the English finally captured their second title in France in 2014. With New Zealand missing out on the semifinals, they beat Canada 21-9 in the final.
THE STRUCTURE
The 2017 Women’s World Cup features three pools of four teams.
Teams play each team in their pool once. They get four points for a win and two points for a draw. There are also bonus points for scoring four or more tries and for losing by less than seven points.
The three pool winners automatically advance to the semifinals and they are joined by the top pool runner-up.
If teams are tied on competition points, the tiebreakers are determined firstly by which team won the match between the sides - if they are in the same pool - and secondly by points differential.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME
The Black Ferns were forced to settle for fifth at the last world cup, largely due to a shock 17-14 loss to Ireland in the pool stages.
It was the only match the Black Ferns lost in the tournament, but it meant they had to hope to be the top secondplaced qualifier.
With three bonus points and a points differential of +102, that looked a good chance.
But everything unravelled when England and Canada drew their pool deciding match 13-13.
It meant both sides finished on 12 competition points, one point ahead of New Zealand who had 11.
So New Zealand missed the semifinals, but they took out their frustrations as they hammered Wales 63-7 and then the United States 55-5 to claim fifth place.
THE CONTENDERS
New Zealand head into the tournament as hot favourites having lost just one match since the last world cup.
But that loss came to England earlier this year, which highlighted the defending champion’s chance to retain the cup.
New Zealand are technically seeded second in their pool behind 2014 runners-up Canada, who have had a strong build up.
France, Ireland and Australia will battle it out in the toughest pool.
While the United States are another dark horse.
FOUR KEY PLAYERS Selica Winiata
One of the greatest try scoring threats on the world stage - she scored nine tries in five tests last year.
The pint-sized fullback loves to attack and her pace and agility make her hard to contain.
Expect the 30-year-old policewomen to feature on the scoresheet plenty of times.
Portia Woodman
Likely to play at centre or on the wing, Woodman is one of the most powerful ball carriers in the women’s game.
Her exploits on the sevens field were what shot her to stardom, but Woodman is equally effective in 15s.
If she is not scoring tries, she will be setting them up.
Fiao’o Faamausili
The inspirational skipper had the unenviable task of replacing Black Ferns legend Farah Palmer at hooker when she retired in
2007.
With five years playing second fiddle to Palmer, Faamausili proved to be a worthy replacement.
At 36 years old, she has plenty of experience and is very mobile for a front-row forward.
Kendra Cocksedge
Halfback Cocksedge is a key cog to New Zealand’s attack.
Her excellent ability to read the game helps keep New Zealand on the front-foot.
The team will turn to her to help get them out of sticky situations.
She is also a handy goalkicker.