How to sound smart while watching the PAC4
Women's test rugby is back so here's a cheat sheet to get you prepped
The PAC4 is suddenly upon us! You’d be forgiven if you didn’t know as while the New Zealand hosts have been making noise, the social media accounts of our opposition have been a little quiet.
With the series starting on Monday, the fastest way for us all to up skill is to mine the knowledge of friends much smarter than I. So while on the road to Poroporo on Wednesday, I decided to give my mate and real life Canadian, Stef Evans a call. Because girlfriends, Kimber Rozier, former USA 15s and 7s player, was also on hand to provide her expert insights.
Stef (left) and Kimber (right). Can you even with how cute these two are?? But will they still be this loved up after the matches Monday?
After picking their brains for talking points, I messaged my ex Wellington Secondary School Girls teammate and former Wallaroo first five, Nella Hake, for her thoughts. These have been assembled into a handful of one liners below, try them with your mates while watching the game and let me know how you get on!
From Wainuiomata High to the world stage, Jackie Patea-Fereti (right) poses with her old teammate, Nella Hake (left).
First things first, what is PAC4?
PAC4 stands for Pacific Four, which is a series of tests between New Zealand, Australia, USA and Canada. It’s a new competition but more like a rejig and formalising of an existing vibe. I say that because this series is not dissimilar to the Super Series of 2015 and 2019, which featured consistently featured New Zealand, USA and Canada. The difference here being that England have been subbed out for Australia.
New Zealand won both the Super Series and will be hoping that is the case with this new format.
Pacific Four Series will be running 6-18 June.
PAC4 will be the go for the foreseeable future as it will our feeder to the WXV. competition
What’s the WXV again?
It’s the competition World Rugby would love to introduce in the men’s competition but prior commitments make it fairly impossible.
WXV will have 3 tiers of competition, named WXV 1, 2 & 3 (simple enough to follow so far…). WXV1, the tier New Zealand will be aiming for, has the top three sides from the 6 Nations and the top three sides from the PAC4 play against each other with the winner to be named champion of the World.
What are my rapid fire reckons on this?
We now have a regular calendar of matches to look forward to, 7 year old me would be STOKED.
It’ll provide much more rugby to be played between World Cups, particularly for developing nations.
All nations are going to have to sharpen their tools to make sure their programmes can support this increase in test matches. Depth is needed, that means domestic competitions will require further development.
Players will need to be paid to play their rugby all year round cause annual leave won’t support this schedule.
Okay, got it, now how do I sound in the know on Monday?
After consulting with the brains trust, here are some lines for you to try.
GAME ONE: USA V CANADA
“Premier 15s finals are really disrupting the USA team. 7 were in action for Exeter on Friday!”
“How good to see Jordan Matyas back in a 15s jersey. She was a mobile forward before but after her time with 7s she’s even more dangerous.”
“Bridget Kahele just won’t quit! What a massive effort from the debutant!”
“This match is likely going to be decided in the second half. USA might have the edge then with more minutes in the heads of key decision makers.”
“Sophie de Goede, what an athlete! A forward that can kick conversion and played university basketball.”
“Welcome back Sara Kalijuvee, we were all robbed not seeing her in the Olympic team last year but how good has she been today?”
“Karen Paquin has more energy at 34 than I have had in my entire life.”
GAME TWO: NEW ZEALAND V AUSTRALIA
“A lot of Black Fern talent that has been knocking on the door for a while will be looking to kick that door in today!”
“This is not how Ruahei Demant would have wanted to get this captaincy but I hope she takes time to savour this moment.”
“The first 20 minutes will be telling for this match. Aussie will look to come out hissing but the new Black Ferns will grow in confidence as the game goes on.”
“Hazel Tubic is on fire, how was she ever left out of the Black Ferns lineup?”
“This is surely the first of many tests for Kaipo Olsen-Baker. What is in the water in the Manawatū?”
“Madi Schuck, one of the short list of players that have transitioned from the wing to the front row. Would love to see her take flight in this match.”
“Ivania Wong has been making waves this year, she’ll be looking to continue to rock the boat out there today.”
“The Wallaroos will have watched the tape from the Northern Tour and will hope to cause trouble with a rush defence. Can’t give the Black Ferns a moment or a metre or they’ll be away!”
I’m ready coach, now how do I watch?
The PAC4 will be on Spark Sport. I repeat, Spark Sport. People may have feelings on this but the pivot from Sky to Spark was going to come at some point this year. As soon as NZR bundled both the Men’s and Women’s World Cup rights together the clock was ticking on the women’s rugby audience migration.
My feeling on this is no matter the platform, while we are paying for access it’s harder for us to grow the audience. So my ideal scenario is that it’s free to air to get it in front of maximum eyeballs at this stage in our sport’s life cycle.
It’ll be live on Spark Sport or you can watch the New Zealand v Australia match delayed, free to air on Three or Three Now from 3.30pm Monday 6 June.
If you’re overseas, I believe World Rugby has got you and will be streaming the matches.
And if you’re going to be at the games, say hello! I will be there getting HYPE.
With you,
Alice