2023 WXV (new global women's competition)

[NTA]

That said. Our discipline wasn't much better on balance

[NTA]

Wallaroos: still so far behind the top 4 in NZ, England, France, and Canada. Will money improve it? Perhaps. Need a development pathway that isn't just "Hey you're physically dangerous at soccer. Go play Rugby"

[Machpants]

The boring effective grind that is England rugby is back. Probably no red card to save the ferns this time

[Davesofthunder]

This Black Ferns Vs England game is a pretty good watch.

England remain on top but the Black Ferns building back.

Definitely hope for the future there

[Bones]

Ref was going well until recently. She's now under the new WR directive to ignore NH indiscretions.

[Davesofthunder]

Yep, it feels like she is giving them the rub if the green right now

[Bones]

England score a fucking try, after what should have been BF ball, but England were allowed a second lineout after preloading because, as the ref says - it was the first time they'd done it. Fuck the fuck off.

[Davesofthunder]

I think context is important here between these sides.

It is not just that England have been professional for years rather than just a couple.

It is more that they have a mature season long club comp that actually gives these players more big game situations and consistent quality matches.

If NZ can build over time with the domestic comps and keep the professional investment k think we can get back to the very top

[Davesofthunder]

Some of the gamesmanship (woman) is clear as well. Experience tells

[Davesofthunder]

@NTA

The Wallaroos are lineal world champs though so there is that 😁 (first time ever for OZ too)

[sparky]

Congratulations to England, the stronger team even if they’ve had the rub of the green.

[Davesofthunder]

Yep, respect where it is due for England.

A very strong side and deserving winners

[sparky]

The Red Roses are a superb team with a great set-up, arguably the strongest British national team at the moment in any sport.

[Bones]

@Davesofthunder said in 2023 WXV (new global women's competition):

Some of the gamesmanship (woman) is clear as well. Experience tells

Same player penalised for not rolling away, 3 times in ten minutes. Also the same player that got let off taking the BF halfback out because "she's rolled east to west" , despite being offside. Ball was turned over to England.

[Bovidae]

England are certainly "professional" in how they manage the ref and get legs/bodies in the way in rucks.

[Davesofthunder]

It is experience at play though so you just have to acknowledge it.

They learn so much through the premiership over here too.

Some of those Wallaroos who came over you cam see the difference after a full season and they all give credit to a proper comp preparing them.

All that really to say that NZ needs to keep investing in a quality domestic set-up.

Super is going to be longer in 2024 which is a start but still more to do I reckon

[Toddy]

What a difference a red card makes

[Machpants]

England choke in last years final is only equalled by Ireland in this years quarters

[Auckman]

@Bones - yeah that was a bullshit call. Whitelock was penalised against the Irish at the World Cup “for taking out the cleaner” when he rolled west to east. That led to their comeback try from the ensuing lineout.

The inconsistency of international level refereeing is a blight on rugby

[Auckman]

BF completely dusted up in the forwards. Aupiki needs to prepare these players better - especially in the forwards. Some good steps being taken for next year but it’s still nowhere near the kind of intensity the English & French get in their longer club competition.

Good signs from Aussie though. Good to see them beating the French. Gives me hope of a more intense Phil O’Reilly series next year. Both countries need it to compete with the English.

Nothing will give me greater joy than seeing the mouthy English forwards get reamed at scrum time one day but NZ women’s rugby is still not there yet. Next year must be an improvement on this year.