@Auckman said in Black Ferns 2024:
Demant is a running first-five so is a bit predictable in that respect. She’s definitely not a goal kicker so if she’s on, it means Renee Holmes has to start as the only recognised kicker in the team. Problem is Holmes’ kicking at international level is absolutely abysmal.
A bit weak in the tackle too IIRC
Bunting answers questions:
Summary: (My comments in italics)
Only 13 new contracts on offer. Does this mean the rest are on multi year contracts? Must be until the next World Cup.
22% of the squad are props. It reflects the key strategic focus for this World Cup cycle. Good. The BFs have been dominated in the forwards by both France & England for many years now; going back to at least 2018.
He has been talking to many of the BF7s who have signalled their intention to return to Aupiki next year to be in the running for the World Cup.
However, he acknowledges that many of those who miss out on BF contracts next year will very likely be snapped up by the new NRLW Warriors women’s team. The two seasons don’t actually overlap so there remains opportunities for players to play both every year (for now). Aupiki is at the start of the year & NRLW is in the second half of the year
Aupiki needs to be expanded to provide more first class rugby experience for the next generation of front rowers as it’s a key strategic development area for the NZR 15s programme. At the moment, Aupiki coaches are favouring the old incumbents with years of experience as there’s not enough game time to develop the youngsters in the short season. Aupiki definitely needs to expand. The English pro season goes on for 20 weeks! It’s a big reason why they are way ahead of every other team and it pisses me off that the poms are so far ahead as I don’t like their style of play
Arihana Marino-Tauhinu’s dropping gives an opportunity for new leaders to be developed (question asked if dropping her exposes a big leadership gap in the BFs)
Joanah Ngan-Woo (who has barely played since the World Cup final) is finally confirmed by Bunting that she is returning from injury. Finally someone asked him the bloody question after all this time! I’ve been wanting to know this for the past year!
I just remembered Niall Williams-Guthrie. She was brilliant for the blues this season. It’s a shame the contract system is tailored towards younger up and coming players and towards developing front rowers because she still has a lot to offer despite her age.
The Pacific Four Series squad has been announced. The big selection shock seems to be the omission of Chelsea Bremner. Three new players.
Unavailable for selection: Ayesha Leti-I'iga (knee), Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Joanah Ngan-Woo (ankle), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).
Clearly a development team with project players all over the show. Still, I really don’t understand the halfback selections. Why does Maia Joseph from the last-placed Matatu get the jump ahead of Kahlia Awa who has been touted as the next big thing? She literally turned the final when she came on for the Blues. Yet she misses out altogether. This appears to suggest Joseph is the second ranked halfback in the country when she bloody well is not. This would’ve been a perfect tournament to develop Awa.
It’s also a big call to drop C Bremner. They’ve taken Vaipulu for development purposes (fine) and Maia Roos picks herself as she was outstanding in the Aupiki season so it was a straight drag race between Charmaine Smith and Bremner. They must’ve made Bremner pay the price for a lacklustre Matatu season.
@Bovidae jesus h christ I'm getting my Bremners mixed up haha Yeah Alana is the one at Matatu of course. Yeah she's good for the lineouts but a bit weak in contact and around the field. Funnily enough, Roos was playing at 6 for the Aupiki season. Certainly something to think about trying for the BFs. Certainly room for Chelsea Bremner in that kind of set-up.
Canada beat the USA 50-7 last weekend in the first WR Pacific Four Series game, so it looks like the USA will be the weakest team.
The USA will play a Chiefs Manawa Development XV before the Chiefs-Force game. It will be a mix of gameplay and scenarios over two halves.
Unavailable: Renee Holmes.
KEY FACTS
Strong team for the first hit out but clearly two experiments going on here with Vaipulu at lock and Joseph at halfback. Three experiments if you count King coming off the bench at first-five.
Goalkicking won't be an issue in this match as they're expected to march through the US (although they struggled last year for the first half) but no recognised goalkicker is a big concern for me with the WXV1 and the big test at Twickenham later this year. They already struggle in this department with Renee Holmes. Without Holmes, Demant appears to be the next in line among the starters. Maliepo on the bench has kicked in the past but hasn't all year for the Blues because Cottrell was the kicker and highest pointscorer in Aupiki. Did Cottrell get picked? Nope. Maybe Hannah King can kick when she gets on. Actually, I'd have King kick ahead of Maliepo and Demant.
I've been impressed with Joseph. A good pass and she has some kicking ability (from playing 1st 5 too).
Wow, that's some tired and woeful tackling there. Layla Sae running over/ through three Americans from 40m out to score.
A similar scoreline to Canada over the USA so much tougher opponents to come.
I liked the loose forward combo including the injection of Olsen-Baker from the bench. A good debut from Vaipulu and King.
Good first 30mins
Shit second half
Joseph & King went pretty good
Reserve forwards weren’t much chop except KOB in her first test in 2 years. Defensive system was shot in the second half.
Plenty to work on before the better Pac-4 teams
@Machpants said in Black Ferns 2024:
Pretty much every ruck, defending players hands straight to deck, ref had ignored them all
Gets my goat. Same happened vs England. The refs in women’s rugby seem to be blind to NH-style cheating at the ruck. Especially England.
One change to the starting XV due to injury (Chryss Viliko for Kate Henwood). Canada will be a much tougher opponent (2nd vs 3rd).
Are there no TMOs in this series? Black Ferns score a clear as day try with the ref right there and get dudded.
@KiwiMurph The rest of the officials including the TMO are Aussies. The fix is on.
Canada currently hold the Utrecht Shield (Womens rugby's lineal world title) so they are making a good fist of defending it!
Far too much aimless kicking by NZ. That can't have been their strategy. That also seems to be Tui's only trick.
Discipline was a problem and that gave Canada entries into the NZ 22 m and lineouts. And the BFs still have trouble defending the maul so they'll struggle to contain England there.
Lastly, NZ teams should NEVER play at that stadium again as it's only good for unwanted records.
They clearly don’t have any idea what to do if they don’t get quick ruck ball. Really badly coached and it shows. Too annoyed to post more at this time.
Why doesn’t Bunting ever front post-match to explain himself?
2 months later
Black Ferns squad for end-of-year tour
Forwards: Alana Bremner, Amy Rule, Atlanta Lolohea, Chelsea Bremner, Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kate Henwood, Kennedy Simon (co-capt), Layla Sae, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Lucy Jenkins, Luka Connor, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Marcelle Parkes, Phillipa Love, Tanya Kalounivale.
Backs: Amy Du Plessis, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Hannah King, Iritana Hohaia, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Sylvia Brunt, Maia Joseph, Mererangi Paul, Patricia Maliepo, Renee Holmes, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Ruby Tui.
Unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Grace Leaso Gago (neck), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).
