Final a contrast in styles
The Black Ferns embrace width and offloads, while England want to suffocate their opponents with scrums and mauls.
The truth is never quite as simple as that, says Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning, who prepared Australia to face both sides this year.
The Black Ferns used ‘‘middle of the field mauling stuff’’ to get on top of the Wallaroos in the second Laurie O’Reilly test in Adelaide in August, Tregonning tells Stuff, while England have an expansive style ‘‘they keep in reserve a little bit’’.
But where there is smoke there is fire. Tregonning analysed both sides for their strengths and weaknesses before the Wallaroos’ loss to the Black Ferns on the opening night, and against England in the quarterfinals.
The clash of styles, or strengths, exists. He admits the Wallaroos tried to draw the Black Ferns into a set-piece battle – with some success early on – to shut down their threats out wide.
Against England, their unpredictability wasn’t the issue – it was simply the Red Roses’ efficiency and ability to win penalties, dominate territory and maul for points.
‘‘We knew what was coming, we just weren’t on the money to be able to prevent it,’’ Tregonning said. ‘‘Everything we put in place, we thought that would help combat it. But we just gave them too many opportunities.’’
It’s a cautionary tale for the Black Ferns, whose attacking brand of rugby has won plenty of admirers throughout the tournament.
Hooker Georgia Ponsonby said this week: ‘‘England have a really strong forward pack and we know what’s coming for us this weekend so we are well prepared for that.’’
Tregonning also believes England should ignore the criticism of their play – which has not been welcomed by coach Simon Middleton.
‘‘Mate, if we [the Wallaroos] played that type of game and we went 30 games [wins] on the trot, it wouldn’t matter what people were saying about how expansive the game is,’’ Tregonning said.
‘‘I’m sure Simon is thinking the same thing: what’s got them this far and what’s made them No 1 in the world is what their strengths are, and that’s what they need to stick to this weekend.’’
The same can be said of the Black Ferns, Tregonning believes. While they will be desperate to negate England’s scrum and avoid giving away penalties in the middle of the field, they cannot abandon their desire to shift the ball.
In fact, a sense of adventure might be the only way to break England down.
The Wallaroos themselves crafted a fine try against England in atrocious conditions, cleverly splitting their attack on both sides of the ruck to keep England guessing. Tregonning said it was no accident.
‘‘It was being able to manipulate them to draw them into an area for sure,’’ he said.
‘‘We knew that England would be the hard to crack defensively and as their record shows their defence has been really good.
‘‘We really thought we needed to be a little bit more expansive to get opportunities. It was obviously some good offloading. And that’s where New Zealand have their strength, in their offload game.’’
Tregonning believes England will be in the ‘‘box seat’’ if their forwards can establish territory and possession.
But don’t expect the Black Ferns to stop trying to have fun, even on the biggest stage. As midfielder Theresa Fitzpatrick said this week: ‘‘It just makes it that much more special.
‘‘We do play our best rugby when we are enjoying ourselves and when we are having fun. And it’s really awesome that we are still able to do that now and in the black jersey.’’
‘‘What’s made them No 1 in the world is what their strengths are, and that’s what they need to stick to this weekend.’’ Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning on England