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).
The big news is that Ayesha Leti-I'iga is back. She hasn't played since the world cup final given her injury. Good to see her back with her experience.
However, I'm happier to see Chelsea Bremner back in the forwards. Looks like Charmaine Smith has been straight dropped since the Pac-4.
It was strange to see Alana used as a lock but Chelsea wasn't in the squad.
There must be concern that three of those injured players are front rowers who all have neck injuries. Some of those have been long-term (e.g., Wainohu).
1 month later
The Black Ferns have been drawn in the same pool for the 2025 Rugby World Cup as Ireland, Japan and Spain.
1 month later
3 months later
Mods might want to change the thread name to BFs 2025, some exciting news
That's a decent amount of firepower
What's Blyde/Brake up to post league season (she's dead to me)?
A team without both her ans Portia reduces the speed and strike power significantly.
Their ability to score from distance with half a gap was a distinct advantage.
Do we have any younger speedsters?
