Okay so I know this is going to hit your inbox AFTER kick off of game one. SORRY TEAM! 4pm Friday didn’t leave me much wiggle room to turn things around. I am currently in Auckland, about to take part in this art installation tomorrow. Still Lives is going to string up eight women, from all ages and stages of the game, to replicate a scrum. The idea is that in the create a conversation in the space about the tension, the pull and the ties that bind us to the game we love.
I LOVE SCRUMS. That’s why I have a tattoo saying just that on my arm. So is this an artwork created for me?? It’s going to be a whole experience and I can’t wait to debrief you all next week.
But aside from that, the thing that has driven me to distraction today is this STEAMING PILE OF SEXIST GARBAGE!!!!
This bullshit appears on page two of this World Rugby coaching module and is the basis for the rest of the unit. I have attended versions of this “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” style coaching session in my home town. They called that one “Coaching Females”. Ugh.
All of this bullshit is inadvertently the best example of what we actually need to coach our women and girls in - navigating this type of sexist attitude that pervades in every level of our sport.
As someone who coaches women and girls and who has worked with men and boys, that’s the only difference. That women have to have a level of resilience to navigate a system that has very little understanding of who they are and what they capable of. That was never designed to identify, support and develop their talents. That can treat them like invaders to their home country rather than valued members of their community.
Outside of this, passing drills, tackle practice and scrum training is the same.
World Rugby need to withdraw and apologise. Both to men and women that they offend with these lazy stereotypes. They need to undergo D&I training then hire more competent folk to write this guidance.
And lastly, of course there is a straight line from this type of thinking around cis women and girls to the banning of trans women from the sport. Sexism and transphobia are besties.
GAME ONE: Matatū vs Poua - RIGHT NOW! TURN IT ON!!
This game is happening now and looks for now like Matatū is finally going to get their first win over the Poua. I think benching Monica Tagoai was bananas. Am I the only one that sees what a difference she makes in terms of our defensive structure in the backline?
Matatū will be targeting this game. They are playing for pride now with finals no longer a possibility. Just like the heavy emotional backstory that was the backdrop of these teams’s last match up, the same is true today. Only today, that heart is carried by Matatū.
What I will say about Matatū this season is I miss their kicking game. Their kick chase last year was a standout. The poke through for Lucy Jenkins and Kendra Reynolds to scamper after was basically how Jenkins chased down her Black Ferns debut.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker move down south has been exactly what she needed. A call up for PAC4 is imminent. But with her out today, it does seem odd that they aren’t pulling in Marcelle Parks as cover. She is still a solid loose forward who played minutes for the Black Ferns there. I am not sold in how she’s being transitioned to the front row.
Offt, it’s 15-0 now. Poua need to show up soon or the game will be another heavy defeat.
GAME TWO: Manawa vs Blues, 2.05pm Saturday
Luka Connor and Renee Holmes are back into the Manawa side. Chyna Hohepa takes Charmaine Smith’s place in the starting lock pairing. Smith went down and made me very anxious at the end of last week. They acted out of an abundance of caution given her past injury history but thankfully, it was a concussion and not any neck issues that has her sidelined tomorrow.
Other change ups sees the standard starting pairing in the halves sidelined. Ariana Bayler and Kiriana Nolan getting a nod over Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Chelsea Semple. More interesting experimentation from Crystal Kaua here. How young Nolan goes against the experience of Krysten Cottrell, will be a battle to watch.
I need everyone to know how much I love Krysten Cottrell. She hasn’t played for the Black Ferns since 2019 but it’s time for her comeback! She is the steady hand on the tiller that is driving this Blues momentum. Her quiet calm, making room for those outside her to go full noise.
The notable Blues changes this week are Charmaine McMenamin into the starting lineup. Kahlia Awa getting a start over Mel Puckett and a young upstart, Renee Woodman-Wickliffe making her Blues debut from the bench. So much for retirement!
Manawa ended up carving up the Poua last week but had some wobbles in the opening 40. Only they could play that poorly in the first half and still end up with a lead. The Blues will be hoping to trip them up and capitalise in a way the Poua were unable to. Manawa will be looking to bring more polish to their team of stars.
I am really looking forward to this game. Both teams are entering in hot form having found their rhythm now we enter the business end of the season. Let’s be real, this is a final preview. So whoever wins this one, wins a psychological edge and maybe even the home final advantage.
With you,
Alice