@Stargazer said in Black Ferns 2023:
@Bovidae Okay, so no excuses for not allocating this game to Wellington, Napier*, Christchurch or Nelson, for example (Dunedin already gets enough ABs tests).
*If Napier is an option after the flooding, not knowing what the conditions will be like by that time.
It will be OK, it's not cricket afterall!
@Stargazer said in Black Ferns 2023:
@Bovidae Okay, so no excuses for not allocating this game to Wellington, Napier*, Christchurch or Nelson, for example (Dunedin already gets enough ABs tests).
*If Napier is an option after the flooding, not knowing what the conditions will be like by that time.
Christchurch had the Laurie game last year so scratch them.
If they had smarts it would go somewhere like Welly given the huge turnout on their tour to show off the cup. Something to build on and a big enough population centre to get a crowd. Also easier for travel.
Sep 30 will be in the middle of the RWC window so the only domestic rugby will be NPC. NZR will need to work around that schedule.
@Stargazer Are you telling me the hotel/motel sector in HB will not be able to cope with three or four hundred spectators travelling for greater than a one day return driving distance away?
@Higgins said in Black Ferns 2023:
@Stargazer Are you telling me the hotel/motel sector in HB will not be able to cope with three or four hundred spectators travelling for greater than a one day return driving distance away?
Quite possibly not. How much is in use as temporary accommodation for displaced people already?
7 days later
Revelation of the final, Demant ran the ball near the end of the game because Cocksedge call her to. Almost screwed up the whole final
One thing I noticed in the endless replays we have had of that last lineout is the unheralded work from Krystal Murray. Ngan Woo gets the steal but it’s Murray that then holds back the drive to try and push into touch. There was still seconds on the clock at that stage and another lineout was a possibility.
Her effort to push back was huge.
@Crucial said in Black Ferns 2023:
One thing I noticed in the endless replays we have had of that last lineout is the unheralded work from Krystal Murray. Ngan Woo gets the steal but it’s Murray that then holds back the drive to try and push into touch. There was still seconds on the clock at that stage and another lineout was a possibility.
Her effort to push back was huge.
She had a big impact off the bench
19 days later
I'm not surprised, especially after Clarke was named as a NZ U20 assistant coach yesterday.
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2023:
I'm not surprised, especially after Clarke was named as a NZ U20 assistant coach yesterday.
Good to know there's no nepotism in the women's coaching selection ...
How much do we think Bunting will change the squads? He has the odd situation of seeing Aupiki then players go back to club followed by FPC.
Untimely injuries may play a part but there were a number of players not involved in the RWC that stood out in Aupiki.
Front rows are fairly settled and it was good to see some improve.
I don't think Demant played well in Aupiki but a second captain change (especially to POTY) would be a big call.
Obviously some 7s players leave gaps to be filled as well.
Will have a crack at a squad or contract list when I have a moment.
@Stargazer said in Black Ferns 2023:
How many players will get a contract? I forgot.
There were 29 players in 2022.
Contracted Black Ferns: Ariana Bayler (Waikato), Eloise Blackwell (Auckland), Alana Bremner (Canterbury), Chelsea Bremner (Canterbury), Grace Brooker (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Ruahei Demant (Auckland), Amy du Plessis (Canterbury), Les Elder (Bay of Plenty), Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Renee Holmes (Waikato), Ayesha Leti-I'iga (Wellington), Pip Love (Canterbury), Patricia Maliepo (Auckland), Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau), Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland), Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (Auckland), Krystal Murray (Northland), Aleisha Pearl Nelson (Auckland), Georgia Ponsonby (Canterbury), Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Waikato), Maiakawanakaukani Roos (Auckland), Amy Rule (Canterbury), Chelsea Semple nee Alley (Waikato), Kennedy Simon (Waikato), Grace Steinmetz (Canterbury), Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau), Renee Wickliffe (Bay of Plenty), Kelsie Wills (Bay of Plenty).
Of those Elder and Wickliffe have retired, and a few of the older players will be phased out for different reasons (e.g., Blackwell, Hohepa, Semple).
Bunting needs to reward SRA form, or otherwise that is one more reason not to have the competition.
On SRA form Bayler, Blackwell, Hohepa and Nelson (did she play?) def under threat IMO.
I'd like a 10 to really step up as I'm not convinced on the game management of Demant or Tubic. Rosie Kelly looked promising.
Don't think Marino-Tauhinu is Cocksedge's natural replacement either.
Don't know if Willison is returning to Sevens.
@Stargazer I included Chelsea, hence the "different reasons". The others in that list are age-related. Hohepa is 37, for example.
There is certainly no shortage of midfielders and outside backs to choose from, but as @Crucial says, 9 and 10 are a worry, with general play kicking a concern.
Topic event: Stargazer referenced this topic on
14 days later
A complete change in the coaching staff.