From Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham) tomorrow night.

A rematch of the Women's 2022 Rugby World Cup Final.

Interesting stats:

• Great to see the return of the pocket rocket, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, returning for her first match since scoring the winning try in that final
• John Mitchell who took over as Head Coach of England coaches against his native country for the first time
• England are the world’s number one ranked team have won 46 of their last 47 Test matches, including 16 on the trot since the 2022 Rugby World Cup

Very annoying, Stan Sport here in Australia has decided against streaming this match despite having the rights to the game. It does conflict with the Women's Australia v Ireland match but that shouldn't matter.

I've emailed Stan Sports a few times already and I can only encourage other Aussie based Ferner's to do the same and hopefully we can get a replay?

Teams
Black Ferns (15-1):
15. Renee Holmes (18), 14. Ayesha Leti-I'iga (21), 13. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (17), 2. Ruahei Demant (37, Co-Captain), 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (10), 10. Hannah King (3), 9. Maia Joseph (4), 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (6), 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) (23, Co-Captain), 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (22), 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25), 4. Alana Bremner (21), 3. Tanya Kalounivale (14), 2. Georgia Ponsonby (24), 1. Chryss Viliko (6)

Reserves:
16. Atlanta Lolohea (1), 17. Kate Henwood (5), 18. Amy Rule (24), 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (2), 20. Layla Sae (7), 21. Iritana Hohaia (10), 22. Amy du Plessis (17), 23. Ruby Tui (14)

England (15-1):
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 44), 14. Abby Dow, (Trailfinders Women, 46), 13. Emily Scarratt (112), 12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23), 11. Jess Breach (Saracens, 39), 10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 31), 9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 73), 8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps), 7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 105, Captain), 6. Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 6), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 65), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54), 3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 62), 2. 2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 58), 1. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16)

Reserves:
16. Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 75), 17. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 48), 18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31), 19 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 14), 20. Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, Debut) 21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 22), 22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 50 caps) 23. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)

I'm still puzzled why the wrong Bremner sister continues to be selected at lock.

Other stats of interest:

New Zealand has eight players in their starting XV that started the previous Test against England. There are 11 players in England’s starting XV that started for England in their November 33-12 win against the Black Ferns in Auckland last year.

This is the first of two tests against England. We'll see how improved the BFs are from last year.

@Bovidae said in Black Ferns V England:

I'm still puzzled why the wrong Bremner sister continues to be selected at lock.

Other stats of interest:

New Zealand has eight players in their starting XV that started the previous Test against England. There are 11 players in England’s starting XV that started for England in their November 33-12 win against the Black Ferns in Auckland last year.

This is the first of two tests against England. We'll see how improved the BFs are from last year.

England beat France by 20 points this year.

I am not hopeful of getting close to them tomorrow either

Nah first game for ages, the BF will go down by 20 or 30 sadly

@RoninWC said in Black Ferns V England:

From Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham) tomorrow night.

A rematch of the Women's 2022 Rugby World Cup Final.

Very annoying, Stan Sport here in Australia has decided against streaming this match despite having the rights to the game. It does conflict with the Women's Australia v Ireland match but that shouldn't matter.

I've emailed Stan Sports a few times already and I can only encourage other Aussie based Ferner's to do the same and hopefully we can get a replay?

Done!

@RoninWC @allblackfan2

To save me 2 mins of googling, what's the email address?

I managed to catch some of the England V France game last week. Have to say those England forwards are solid lumps of flesh. Handling from both sides was frustrating to watch at times. BFs best keep the ball moving and not get caught up in the ruck. Noticed England seem to tire in the 2nd half and let France back in. Structure is there for England, BFs need to stick to their systems and try and be patient. Weather is cold and clear here.

@RoninWC said in Black Ferns V England:

John Mitchell who took over as Head Coach of England coaches against his native country for the first time

Is that true? Maybe as head coach but I thought he was part of the England team for games against NZ in the late 90s.

clive @Bones said in Black Ferns V England:

@RoninWC said in Black Ferns V England:

John Mitchell who took over as Head Coach of England coaches against his native country for the first time

Is that true? Maybe as head coach but I thought he was part of the England team for games against NZ in the late 90s.

He was forwards coach for Sir Clive for 3-4 years during that period.

Is this our halfback's first ever rugby game? She's awful.

It's getting really ugly now.

England 24 Black Ferns 0.

BFs started well but dropped off in intensity when Leti'inga didnt score.

England lucky to get away with just a yellow card for a swing tackle right around the neck I thought.

Katelyn Vahaakolo has got a try back.

Who is this shit main commentator and is it in her contract to say "big tackles by England" twice a minute?

England love having props playing in the loose forwards in both the men's and women's game.

Katelyn Vahaakolo got another.

24-12 to England with 5 minutes to go.

Black Ferns have been got out by a lack of fitness in the forwards and some terrible passing at Half Back.

Like the All Blacks, the Black Ferns exit work is terrible.

NZR need to find a specialist kick and chase coach to work with their national teams.