2020 Black Ferns
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@Bovidae said in 2020 Black Ferns:
The curtain-raisers in SR games start at 4:25 pm. They need to give enough time for the player warm-ups for the main game.
An hour of warm ups? This is where flexibility and a bit of lateral thinking could go a long way.
For me, one of the worst things about going to live games these days is the amount of faffing about before and during matches, Live spectators are an afterthought to the desires of TV and other 'requirements'. You don't notice the stops as much on TV as your attention is diverted by a replay or 'analysis' but at the grounds the game dies as endless water boys run on at every stoppage. -
@Crucial said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae said in 2020 Black Ferns:
The curtain-raisers in SR games start at 4:25 pm. They need to give enough time for the player warm-ups for the main game.
An hour of warm ups? This is where flexibility and a bit of lateral thinking could go a long way.
But if the kickoff time for AB tests is 7:05 pm it is the same timeframe as for SR games. I don't disagree with you about the dead time for a spectator, as I am often one of them.
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@Bovidae said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Crucial said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae said in 2020 Black Ferns:
The curtain-raisers in SR games start at 4:25 pm. They need to give enough time for the player warm-ups for the main game.
An hour of warm ups? This is where flexibility and a bit of lateral thinking could go a long way.
But if the kickoff time for AB tests is 7:05 pm it is the same timeframe as for SR games. I don't disagree with you about the dead time for a spectator, as I am often one of them.
I guess that the real question is 'How many ticket holders turn up for the curtain-raiser?'
That is a % that should be targeted to increase. Gap between games is but one of the factors that could help. Otherwise the double-header concept is merely a sham to reduce costs.I would wager that if that Welly game was played mid-week at 5.30 with a $10 entry (kids free), you would get a decent crowd.
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@Crucial said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae said in 2020 Black Ferns:
The curtain-raisers in SR games start at 4:25 pm. They need to give enough time for the player warm-ups for the main game.
An hour of warm ups? This is where flexibility and a bit of lateral thinking could go a long way.
Goddamn right. It's only rugby that requires warmups on the pitch prior to the game. League warms up outside, Rugby could do that too. they just don't care enough to change, and it's written into competition rules usually.
There's nothing that prepares yo ufor a good game of rugby like a good game of rugby. Bring back curtain raisers - womens, club, 1st XV, don't care ... a 545 kickoff followed by a 730 kickoff would be awesome.
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@nzzp said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Crucial said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae said in 2020 Black Ferns:
The curtain-raisers in SR games start at 4:25 pm. They need to give enough time for the player warm-ups for the main game.
An hour of warm ups? This is where flexibility and a bit of lateral thinking could go a long way.
Goddamn right. It's only rugby that requires warmups on the pitch prior to the game. League warms up outside, Rugby could do that too. they just don't care enough to change, and it's written into competition rules usually.
There's nothing that prepares yo ufor a good game of rugby like a good game of rugby. Bring back curtain raisers - womens, club, 1st XV, don't care ... a 545 kickoff followed by a 730 kickoff would be awesome.
AFL seem to as well
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Sad news. Fortunately, she has been able to win a World Cup during her time in the black jersey.
Black Ferns lock Charmaine Smith has today announced her retirement from all rugby. 29-year-old Smith, who has played 27 Tests for the Black Ferns since 2015, has made the difficult decision after a scan found a bulging disc in her neck. New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Women’s Rugby, Cate Sexton said Smith’s health and wellbeing was the priority and the medical advice was clear. “Rugby is a contact sport and to play with this type of injury was simply too risky for Charmaine’s health. It’s obviously hugely disappointing for her, the Black Ferns and fans, but it’s the right thing to do and she has the backing of her medical team, her family and teammates. “Charmaine also has a career in the New Zealand Police as a sergeant, which is equally important to her. Fortunately, her injury won’t impact her policing role and she will continue to serve her community outside of rugby,” Sexton said.
Smith made her debut for the Black Ferns in 2015 in Canada and went on to play 27 Tests in the black jersey, scoring 20 points during that time. Born and bred in Whangarei, Smith moved to Auckland in 2009. A former netballer, she was a training partner for the Northern Mystics and a provincial player for North Harbour before making the switch to rugby in 2014. She represented both North Harbour and Auckland in the Farah Palmer Cup. Moore said Smith’s progress in rugby has been rapid after she made the switch from netball where she had quickly became a key member of the Black Ferns. In 2017 Smith played in all five matches in the Rugby World Cup in Ireland and scored a try in the Black Ferns 41-31 victory in the final against England in Belfast.
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I'll put this in here cos I can't find a Black Ferns 2020 thread anywhere near the top. Girls are going to struggle for the RWC next year unless they get some game time in. Is the Womens 6N going ahead this year? Autumn 8 Nations for ladies too?
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@Bovidae North v South would only work if they selected the players from the North and South pools they are using now in the FPC (although still strongly favouring the North). North Island v South Island is near impossible, because the player pool in the SI is too small (only 3 FPC teams, one of which quite weak).
Possibles v Probables and Black Ferns v NZ Barbarians should be good games, although hopefully the BFs still get to play some test matches before the World Cup. The home nations still have the Six Nations. NZ and Australia need some tests, too.
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@Stargazer said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae North v South would only work if they selected the players from the North and South pools they are using now in the FPC (although still strongly favouring the North). North Island v South Island is near impossible, because the player pool in the SI is too small (only 3 FPC teams, one of which quite weak).
Canterbury has dominated the FPC despite a lack of BFs. There are also a few players who started playing for SI provinces (e.g., Hohepa and Brazier for Otago) so would be SI-qualified. It could work if they used what you suggest as the regions.
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@Bovidae Otago also have a few good players that started in NI teams though. Maybe Canterbury, too. Players who started playing FPC while still at school, and then moved to Dunedin (Christchurch) to go to Uni.
Edited to add Ruby Tui to your list of players who started in the South.
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North Harbour, Waitakere and Nelson will play hosts to the top female players in New Zealand as they vie for a place in the Black Ferns squad in three matches next month.
The three-match schedule which includes a Possibles versus Probables presented by Steinlager match on Saturday 7 November, and Black Ferns versus New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer on Saturday 14 November and Saturday 21 November, replaces the scheduled 2021 Test Series following COVID-19 restrictions.
All three matches will be broadcast on SKY Sport.
The coaching staff for the three matches have been appointed.
Possibles
Head Coach: Chad Shepherd (Counties Manukau Heat)
Assistant Coaches: Anna Richards (Auckland Storm) and Scott Manson (Otago Spirit)Probables
Head Coach: Rodney Gibbs (Bay of Plenty Volcanix)
Assistant Coaches: Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury) and Willie Walker (North Harbour Hibiscus)New Zealand Barbarians
Head Coach: Rodney Gibbs (Bay of Plenty Volcanix)
Assistant Coaches: Chad Shepherd (Counties Manukau Heat) and Whitney Hansen (Canterbury)
Black Ferns November scheduleSaturday, 7 November
Possibles v Probables presented by Steinlager
North Harbour Stadium, North Shore
Kick-off: 2.05pmSaturday, 14 November
Black Ferns v New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer
The Trusts Arena, Waitakere, Auckland
Kick-off: 4.35pm
NB: this match is part of a women’s rugby triple header match day which includes NZ Defence Force v NZ Police (11.35am), and a RWC 2021 qualification match between Samoa v Tonga (2.05pm).Saturday, 21 November
Black Ferns v New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer
Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Kick-off: 4.35pmhttps://www.allblacks.com/news/match-venues-for-black-ferns-november-series-confirmed/