Change of setting for Ferns stars

Saturday night’s Rugby World Cup final between the Black Ferns and England was the biggest women’s game New Zealand has seen, drawing a crowd of 42,579 to Eden Park in Auckland.

But what comes next is set to be a return to the grassroots, when the second season of Super Rugby Aupiki kicks off at Levin Domain– a venue that can hold around 5000 people.

The Hurricanes Poua and Chiefs Manawa, the defending champions, are set to start an extended five-week competition there on February 25 next year.

But while it makes for quite a contrast, Black Ferns loose forward Sarah Hirini, Poua captain in their inaugural season, said Levin Domain would be ‘‘a great venue’’ for a match that will double as a celebration of New Zealand’s history-making World Cup efforts.

‘‘Being able to share it with our smaller provinces is really special for us,’’ Hirini said at Sunday’s celebration event for the Black Ferns in downtown Auckland.