Ferns get a kick out of Holmes

Wayne Smith didn’t know a lot about Renee Holmes’ goalkicking ability when he first got to work with her after taking charge of the Black Ferns earlier this year.

But after relegating her to the bench for last weekend’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal win over Wales, he has restored the 22-yearold to the starting lineup for tomorrow’s semifinal against France at Eden Park in Auckland.

That’s in part because he wants a specialist fullback to help defuse France’s tactical kicking game, which he rates as the best on display at this tournament. But it’s also because he thinks Holmes is the Black Ferns’ best goalkicker – and every point could be crucial in a knockout match.

This is an impressive wrap, because Holmes’ goalkicking wasn’t a major reason why she was in the selection mix at the start of the year.

At first, Smith felt Holmes ‘‘sort of pivoted around the ball a wee bit too much,’’ but after getting her some help from All Blacks legend Dan Carter, he now feels she is ‘‘outstanding’’. ‘‘She’s really good when she comes through the ball and she kicked one from 50 metres at training the other day.

Holmes started at fullback in six of the Black Ferns’ nine tests this year prior to last week’s quarterfinal, where she made way as Smith fielded a back three of Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Portia Woodman and Ruby Tui.

She said she relished the chance to come on and make an impact in the 55-3 win over Wales.

‘‘I’m excited for the challenge,’’ Holmes said of facing France’s multi-faceted kicking game.

‘‘Being a fullback, to play against a team that likes to kick, it’s happy days. I can’t wait to take on that challenge and when you’ve got the likes of Portia Woodman and Ruby Tui as your wings, it’s like, wow, what could go wrong?’’

Carter has worked with Holmes and the rest of the Black Ferns’ kickers during most of their test weeks this year and is one of several former All Blacks and Black

Ferns to have lent a helping hand during their World Cup quest.

Holmes said ‘‘hand on heart, my kicking game has changed so much since he’s come into this environment’’.

‘‘It was just small things. He didn’t come in trying to change my kicking style or anything, he just made small tweaks and gave me small key words.’’

Those words have included advice on what it’s like kicking in a match where points from the boot could be the difference – scenarios Carter knows well from his part in the All Blacks’ 2011 and 2015 World Cup triumphs.

‘‘It was so cool when Smithy said he was coming in this week because I got to ask those questions about what goes through his mind when he’s missed a kick and when he is about to take a penalty that might put them in front by three.’’

Holmes confirmed her preparation this week has included drop-goal practice, should it be needed.