Changes as Smith asks hard questions
Black Ferns make raft of changes ahead of Wales clash
Wayne Smith continues to look for answers. Heading into the Black Ferns World Cup campaign, questions remained as to what the team’s firstchoice XV looked like.
There was plenty to consider. It wasn’t just about how players were performing individually, but how the combinations on the pitch worked.
Those questions remain, and Smith is taking another step towards solving them with a drastically changed squad for tomorrow’s match against Wales in Waita¯kere.
Only five of last weekend’s starting XV have remained in the run-on side, though there have been some positional changes among those five — most notably Ruby Tui moving from right wing to fullback.
It will be Tui’s first start in the 15 jersey for the Black Ferns, and a move many will be monitoring, with fellow star wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga nearing a return from injury.
“We’re really strong in the outside backs, so we’re making sure we’ve got some versatility,” Smith said of shifting Tui to fullback.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen down the track and Ruby shows all the tendencies of being able to play fullback because she’s hyperactive, she covers the whole field, she can be a forward and a back at the same time, so we think she’s got the characteristics. It gives us extra cover and another option.”
Committing herself to the 15-a-side game at the start of the year in a bid to earn a place at the World Cup, Tui starred on the wing for Chiefs Manawa and has looked comfortable with the step up to test level.
Doing everything asked of her so far, the switch to fullback adds to her skillset, with another potential selection headache looming for Smith.
If Tui excels at fullback, that could pave the way for a back three of Tui, Leti-I’iga and Portia Woodman, which could do a lot of damage with the side’s high-tempo style of play.
The Black Ferns coach said LetiI’iga (calf ) and co-captain Kennedy Simon (leg) “look a million dollars” and are tracking ahead of schedule in their recoveries. He is hopeful both will play in next weekend’s final pool game against Scotland.
Returning for tomorrow’s test are prop Tanya Kalounivale and loose forward Alana Bremner, with the pair back from the casualty ward and straight into the starting XV.
Kalounivale is part of a changed front row, alongside Awhina TangenWainohu and Georgia Ponsonby at loosehead prop and hooker.
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (lock), Bremner and Kendra Reynolds (loose forwards) also join the pack, while Ariana Bayler starts at halfback.
A new midfield combination sees Theresa Fitzpatrick and Sylvia Brunt join forces, with Renee Wickliffe partnering Portia Woodman as the wings.
“I know we’ve got a really strong squad, it’s just about how to work out which 15 is going to work the best together,” Smith said. “It’s not necessarily the best players, it’s how they operate together.
“We’re still finding that out but we’re getting there.
“We’ve played most of these combinations through [Pacific] Four scenarios, we’ve played scenarios against boys’ teams, men’s teams, Pac Four, Laurie O’Reilly [Cup] . . . most of them have played together and, to be fair, have played well together.
“It’s who’s better than the better ones? That’s your question,” Smith said.
“They’re all pretty good, so where’s the magic? Hopefully, we get to that by quarter-final time.”