The last test
Just 80 minutes remain before the Rugby World Cup
23, 80, 32, 14, 30. A series of numbers that carry the weight of expectation of what’s to come. 23 players named this weekend to play in the last 80 minutes of test rugby ahead of the naming of our World Cup squad of 32. This squad will be named in 14 days which will be only 30 days out from our first match at the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
The countdown is on and the pressure is high as we take a last look at the Black Ferns before putting them on the plane to England.
The team we have named for this test to me says two things.
We are actually very close to our final form.
There are really three questions I see waiting to be answered in this lineup.
Let’s start with what we know. Jorja Miller has managed to win a place in the hotly contest Black Fern back row. That means our loose forwards we are taking to the World Cup are most likely going to be Miller, Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u. We have backup cover in Alana Bremner and Maia Roos who can both play loose should the need arise.
Risi Pouri-Lane has transitioned as smoothly as we all had hoped into the halfback role. This means if we take three halfbacks, they will be Pouri-Lane, Maia Joseph and Iritana Hohaia.
Kelly Brazier returning to Black Ferns test rugby on the eve of the World Cup, four years since she last played, tells me she has likely fought her way back into this squad. The first fives will potentially be Ruahei Demant and Brazier.
Okay, so I’ve already given 13 out of 32 spots out in the above musings. Only 19 to go.
Tony Christie, Rugby Leader and Attack coach for the Black Ferns
Brazier and Demant can both cover midfield. So that means a fiercer competition in those spots. Sylvia Brunt has only levelled up as the sevens reinforcements arrived. So much so that I believe she has split the 2022 winning pair of Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka. Taking herself out of the debate and leaving it between Setefano and Amy du Plessis for the final spot.
Is it really between those two though? Or is it between du Plessis and Mererangi Paul, whose ability to cover centre, wing and fullback may tilt things in her favour. That’s a scrap happening off screen as niggles have sidelined both players from this weekend’s match.
No as far as this match is concerned, there are three spots up for grabs. Lock, fullback and a wildcard selection. Chelsea Bremner and Laura Bayfield will be going head to head for the alternate lock spot alongside Alana Bremner, Roos and Maama Vaipulu.
Bayfield, was standout in last week’s trial and if she brings that heat to her minutes off the bench tomorrow, she could be the true bolter of this World Cup squad. Having only played a handful of minutes in black on debut before getting a shot at the top tournament.
Renee Holmes sideline conversion last week, kicked her back into contention. She’s been given every chance by the injury god’s sidelining her competition. First with Paul’s absence giving her a spot in the July squad and now Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s tweaked hip, giving her a starting spot. As a player who was starved of minutes during Aupiki, such game time is a gift.
When points are scored tomorrow, if Holmes’ given the tee to convert and nails it, I think she’s going to England.
And then there’s the wildcard. I can make all my prediction and educated guesses but ultimately I am not in the selection room. With the assembly of any squad there’s always a surprise omission and wildcard inclusion. They are often less to do with performance and more the relationships. You are assembling a team after all, so the unseen influence of certain players within that dynamic also need to be considered.
That’s why the door is open, just a crack, for Ruby Tui.
Alana (still) Bremner, answering some questions this afternoon
As for the match itself, I will be disappointed if it isn’t a 40 point gap between us and Australia. I said this team was close to it’s final form so I need them to be ruthless finishers like they were against USA in Whangārei. I need the ruck speed picked up, the offloads flying, the set piece humming and the kicking to be adding the extras.
There’s only 80 minutes left. Every second counts.
With you,
Alice
Lotta grunt up front and firepower out back in that lineup. I like the inclusion of Brazier, her experience and calm, esp if (god forbid) anything happens to Ruahei.