On the optimistic side, this is Englands recent results

Last five results (most recent first): Beat Wales 73-7, beat USA 52-14, beat France 24-12, beat Ireland 69-0, beat Wales 58-5

I would think that our scores would be comparable at least against Wales, Ireland and USA. In fact our recent against the US was 50-6.
Biggest question there is obviously how we would go against France and the 'pro' forwards but I can see us getting over that .

Ferns by 50.

@NTA said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

Ferns by 50.

I think your side has a bit more pride than allowing that. Win by 35-40 I can see.

@Crucial said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

@Bovidae said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

Three, if not all, of those players listed as injured would be starters in the best XV. Smith is going to rotate players for the pool matches.

To be honest I do wonder if Leti-l’iga has a bit of flat track bully about her.

She is the one of the four I am 50/50 about. Bremner has been the first-choice no.6 for a while now, Kalounivale is the best TH prop, and Simon is a CC and will start at 7 once fit. Hirini off the bench would be great to provide toughness and leadership at the end.

@Bovidae said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

The team most were predicting based on the injury unavailabilities. The only surprise is that Mikaele-Tu’u and McMenamin have swapped positions.

If you like pictures:

View image

I reckon Mikaele-Tu’u is a gun. Still very young but from what I’ve seen she does give us a genuine ball running option in the loose and off the back of the scrum.

Just realised how much I've missed Smithy & Ted

Could be one for the podcasts thread but this BBC interview with Ruby Tui is excellent.

Edit: From about 30 minutes she talks quite a bit about the RWC, the changes, the captains etc. Well worth listening for insight and background.

On TCGW last night they said there are only 1800 tickets left for this game. What a buzz for the team to run out to see that crowd and feel that atmosphere.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

On TCGW last night they said there are only 1800 tickets left for this game. What a buzz for the team to run out to see that crowd and feel that atmosphere.

It's a smaller capacity due to the music setup but still an awesome crowd. Great way to kick things off.

What is the capacity at the moment?

Will re sub to Spark for this (and the Cricket I guess...)

@foobaNZ said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

What is the capacity at the moment?

Will re sub to Spark for this (and the Cricket I guess...)

Around 40k in the setup they are using I think.

EDIT: 47k. I assume that one end on stand area is being used as a stage.

@Crucial that's great!! A shame Ayesha isn't playing as others have said. She's a gun.

Really loving the buzz around this. It is like going back to 87 in a way. The womens game hasn't become a load of cliched responses and questions, nor is it being too serious.
Looks like a good ride to get on.

@Crucial said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

Could be one for the podcasts thread but this BBC interview with Ruby Tui is excellent.

11 minutes in. This is great.

The other two games should be interesting as well.

France v SA with SA a bit of an unknown quantity.

Eng v Fiji with England looking to lay down a marker but they will know little about Fiji who have adjusted their team with a bunch of Sevens players. If Fiji get some ball it could be fun

@Crucial said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

Could be one for the podcasts thread but this BBC interview with Ruby Tui is excellent.

View embedded content

Edit: From about 30 minutes she talks quite a bit about the RWC, the changes, the captains etc. Well worth listening for insight and background.

How can you not love Ruby Tui - talented, funny, intelligent, resilient and captivating

@Crucial said in Ferns v Oz World cup:

France v SA with SA a bit of an unknown quantity.

France to smash them by a bigger margin than BFs v Wallaroos.

Eng v Fiji with England looking to lay down a marker but they will know little about Fiji who have adjusted their team with a bunch of Sevens players. If Fiji get some ball it could be fun

Will probably be the same old story: England dominate the set piece and structured play, Fiji carve up the broken field.

The physicality in the loose will be value tho.