Black Ferns come home

It's been 463,505 minutes since they last played in New Zealand

Some thoughts from coach, Allan Bunting along with Chyrss Viliko (left) and Krystal Murray (right)

One of the thing that’s noticeable shift in the last 12 months is the access to this team. I now feel like I’m constantly being alerted to various media opportunities. I’m spoiled for choice really, on what to attend. Shoutout to Amanda Meade, who is running point a lot of the time for the Black Ferns and who is the queen of follow up. When she sent notice of the press conference happening in Hamilton yesterday, I asked for a zoom link and voilà! A link and then downloads after of such high res video my computer could barely handle it.

So it’s been almost a year since the Black Ferns have played at home. This media facilitation is one shift as has been the week of on the ground promotion (Rebel Sport signings, dinners with the Silver Ferns to promote a women’s sport double header etc). Usually whacking the Black Ferns underneath the All Blacks name on the tickets has been the extent of the marketing spend.

This is one of the few standalone Black Fern weekend matches I can remember (should have a dig around to figure out what the actual stat is on that) so they will want a good turnout. So far there has been a reported 10,000 tickets sold. That’s just under half of the 25,800 capacity of the FMG Stadium Waikato. Working against the Black Ferns sellout hopes is the weather is forecast to be pretty miserable which might discourage potential walkup numbers on the day.

Those that attend will be in for a treat. It’s true the Aussies are still yet to beat the Black Ferns. But this Aussie side has been in the type of scrap in the last month which is the making of a team. So they will be quite the different side than the team that went down to the Black Ferns 50-0 in Brisbane.

Both sides have made a few changes to their lineups since their last O’Reilly Cup match. For the Black Ferns, the changes to the backline is somewhat outside their control with Tenika Willison returning to the sevens set up and Renee Holmes currently out with a shoulder injury.

Their changes in their forward pack are a result of the competition both Allan Bunting and Krystal Murray made reference to. Chryss Viliko switched in for Kate Henwood. Charmaine Smith taking Joanah Ngan-Woo’s spot. Chelsea Bremner and Kendra Reynolds sidelined for Lucy Jenkins and Layla Sae.

What doesn’t change for the Black Ferns is fullback aside, this is the same backline that ran in all those point in in their last test against the Wallaroos. They also have the same starting loose forward trio who tore the rucks apart.

The talking points in the Wallaroos changes are at number eight and fullback. The immense Grace Hamilton has been playing in the NRLW and so won’t feature in this match for the Wallaroos. Whereas Lori Cramer has been down under since Pacific 4 and will start at fullback. This sets up a really tasty battle between wily Cramer and the excitable Patricia Maliepo.

What’s interesting is that the Aussies have opted for Carys Dallinger at 10 and haven’t named Arabella McKenzie anywhere in their starting 23. The last start Dallinger had was in the last match against New Zealand before McKenzie was installed for the remainder of the Pacific Four series. She’s good safe hands for the Aussies so telling that they haven’t opted to bench her from this match (she may be unavailable but don’t have that level of intel soz).

However, if you ask Eddie Jones, the Wallaroos director of rugby (apparently) he has this to say about first-fives.

“If you know anything about rugby you know that No 10s need time in the seat. If you don’t know anything about rugby then don’t talk to me.”

I guess I know nothing about rugby.

I do know I’m so excited to finally have international women’s rugby back at home. Hope to see you in Hamilton. If you do see me, please say hello!

With you,
Alice