Winning’s not the only thing for Black Ferns
The Black Ferns are hunting much more than victories as they kick off their preWorld Cup year in Hamilton this weekend.
Allan Bunting’s side open the 2024 international season, and their Pacific Four Series, against the United States at Waikato Stadium this afternoon, in a clash which will set the tone for an important 15 months ahead.
Thanks to the Covid-enforced one-year delay of the last World Cup, preparations for the next one are condensed, with the global showpiece already looming quickly next year, in the backyard of an England side which will be thirsty for revenge.
The New Zealanders might be reigning world champions, after that memorable triumph on home soil in 2022, but they need little reminding of how quickly the game moves on.
That much was clear after coming up short against the same nations they beat in the World Cup semifinal and final, when losing 18-17 to France and 33-12 to England
At a glance
What: Pacific Four Series, Black Ferns v United States
Where, when: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton; today, 2:05pm
Coverage: Live on Sky Sport 1, live updates on Stuff
Black Ferns: Mererangi Paul, Ruby Tui, Amy du Plessis, Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu
Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Maia Joseph,
Layla Sae, Kennedy Simon (co-capt), Liana Mikaele Tu’u, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Tanya Kalounivale, Georgia Ponsonby, Kate Henwood. Reserves: Luka Connor, Chryss Viliko, Amy Rule, Charmaine Smith, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Patrica Maliepo
United States: Tess Feury, Emily Henrich, Bulou Mataitoga, Eti Haungatau, Lotte Clapp, Gabby Cantorna, Olivia Ortiz, Rachel Johnson (capt), Georgie Perris-Redding, Freda Tafuna, Erica Jarrell, Hallie Taufoou, Charli Jacoby, Kathryn Treder, Hope Rogers. Reserves: Paige Stathopoulos, Alivia Leatherman, Catie Benson, Jenny Kronish, Tahlia Brody, Taina Tukuafu, Atumata Hingano, Autumn Czaplicki
in a disappointing WXV1 campaign at home late last year, where they played in front of sparse crowds.
A second year into the job for Bunting, and the rest of his coaching team, there is work to do to ensure the Ferns remain a genuine shot of defending their world title.
While victories are of course top of the agenda, this ‘in-between’ year, also
comes with added desires. Discovering, and embedding, a style of play that will be effective against the big guns is chief among them.
Keeping the punters interested, and willing to come to watch, is another.
“For us, we want to get our crowds back,” Bunting acknowledged. “That’s our responsibility and the brand we play, but unleashing the special gifts that we have is important. For us, we talk about our DNA. We’re really trying to find out what that is.
“We’ve got some really special young ladies in our group, across the board, that are different. [It’s about] really finding out, and believing in, what we can bring.”
To that end, Bunting has three debutantes in his first lineup of the season.
Maia Joseph, daughter of former All Black-turned coach Jamie Joseph, will start at halfback, while lock Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu is also in the run-on side, with playmaker Hannah King set for an entrance off the bench, in a series (the Ferns then face Canada in Christchurch next Sunday, before squaring off with Australia on the North Shore) which is sure to see some rotation in the ranks.
The Black Ferns aren’t expected to be troubled much by the United States, who are ranked No 10 in the world and who lost their Pacific Four Series opener against Canada 50-7 in California a fortnight back, and drew 29-29 in a scrimmage with a Chiefs Manawa Development XV in Hamilton last Saturday.