Who will be our WXV1 Champion?

Only three games left in WXV

Tomorrow night, we will once again be treated to a match between the world number 1 & 2 when the Black Ferns face the Red Roses. It’s almost a year on since Joanah Ngan-Woo’s finger tips clawed home a famous victory but if we have a repeat of that scoreline, it won’t be enough to lift the silverware.

England are currently sitting pretty on 10 points competition points, having been flawless in their results so far. New Zealand, sits behind them on 6 points which means a win will only bring the Black Ferns level. If England lose, they could still end up on a maximum of 12 competition points. They could pick up a losing bonus point if they are within 7 and another bonus point is on offer for scoring four tries.

So there is a version of events where the Black Ferns win at Mount Smart but still fall short in securing a WXV title. In short, the Black Ferns have to go big or go home empty handed.

It’s a very interesting thing to look at all the changes made between the two squads since they last faced each other. A little more promotion from within for the Red Roses versus virtually all new faces within the Black Ferns. That said, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u is new on this list but that’s only because an injury ruled her out of last year’s final and saw Charmaine McMenamin take her spot.

It’s bloody hard for me to make a call in terms of outcome but here’s what I’m looking forward to:

• Liana Mikaele-Tu’u vs Alex Matthews
  These are two eights at the top of their game. Both just relentless in their work rates but with some silky ball skills should the need arise.

• Not doing things by halves
  It’s been said to death that leaving Hunt out of the World Cup squad last year was an error. I want to see just how much trouble she can cause out there, particularly up against Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu. Just as an aside, I’m stoked we have named Iritana Hohaia as our halfback replacement. She is a good gear shift for me off the bench so bring it on!

• Middle field meet up

  This is different for both teams since they last met so I’m keen to see who will have the edge here. If Sylvia Brunt is in her wrecking ball mode, it could be interesting to see how the English try to contain her.

• Battle of the bench

  There is a lot of new faces on the bench for both sides. That replacement front row for the Black Ferns is a powerful one. Sophie Fisher given a big assignment here in just her second test but the scrum queen came on and won a scrum against the feed in her first act as a Black Fern which bodes well.

  It’s worth remembering that all the way back in 2021 on the Northern Tour, Patricia Maliepo was one of the most effective line breakers for the Black Ferns. If she can bring some of the confidence from her prior experiences, that could be very important for her side. Meanwhile Jess Breach has been in phenomenal form for the Roses so she will bring the noise when she steps on the pitch.

These are two evenly matched teams so I can’t help but feel, like most matches between these two, it’ll come down the the head game. It is all there for England and should they strike early, it’ll be a big mental battle with the Black Ferns knowing they have to pull off something big.

But England has entered many pressure matches against this team with the winds of expectations at their backs. Should the wobbles appear, you could see them blown over.

All the potential for all the drama, HOW GOOD!

Aside from this match, I am most looking forward to the one tonight where Aussie faces Wales. Australia will be dead keen to back up last week’s fantastic victory (my fav game of the WXV1 so far please do yourself a favour and watch it!). Wales meanwhile, desperate to come home with something to show for their newly minted professionalism.

Canada and France we hope is more competition than the RWC playoff for 3rd and 4th last year. Unluckily for the Canadians, the French again will have a something to prove in this match so will be coming in hot.

We will debrief all of the WXV action next week but for now, make sure you tune in. It’s gonna be bloody epic!

With you,
Alice