Winiata motivated for Cup
2013 setback will inspire Kiwi women
"That's got something to do with it, especially for those that were at the last World Cup. It's definite motivation to go over there and take that cup back." Seleica Winiata
Like it or not, you can expect most of the chat leading into the women’s rugby World Cup in Ireland to be around favourites the Black Ferns and England.
Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata won’t say it, but the likelihood is that heavyweights New Zealand and England are going to square off in the decider in Dublin on August 27.
It will be the second World Cup for 30-year-old Winiata, who was part of the team that agonisingly missed out on the playoffs at the last tournament in France in 2013. That year, a shock 17-14 loss to Ireland in pool play bundled the Black Ferns out of the tournament and they ended up finishing fifth.
So that surprise was in the back of the Black Ferns’ minds this time and they are keen to make up for it and continue in their strong tradition, having won the title four times.
‘‘That’s got something to do with it, especially for those that were at the last world cup,’’ Winiata said.
‘‘We’ll be trying hard and it’s definite motivation to go over there and take that cup back.’’
Having had that surprise loss, Winiata said they didn’t want to get too far ahead of themselves this time, starting with their first pool game against Wales on Thursday morning. Also in their pool in world No 3 Canada and Hong Kong.
England drew first blood against New Zealand this year when they beat the Black Ferns 29-21 in Rotorua in June, but that didn’t worry Winiata.
‘‘I don’t think it was a big surprise,’’ Winiata said. ‘‘[England] have been together for quite a while now.
‘‘They were going to be a really well-drilled team that executed what they did on the field. They’re definitely beatable.
‘‘There were areas of our own game that we didn’t do so well in. I think that after our review and seeing what we need to fix, I have full confidence if we were to come up against them again.’’
In that same test series, New Zealand beat Australia 44-17 and Canada 28-16 and having hard tests before heading to the big dance was beneficial for Winiata.
‘‘We’re fortunate to even get some test matches before the World Cup. Having Canada and England able to come over is awesome because we do want to hit it out against the best of the best.’’
Winiata, who was the joint second-highest try scorer at the last tournament with six tries, said having calm heads on the field at this tournament will be a big thing.
Even though some players are experienced, a world cup is a different environment, she said.
Winiata isn’t planning on returning any time soon and could play another World Cup, which she said is the pinnacle for 15s .