2022 Black Ferns
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@trooa I wouldn't be surprised to see Fluhler at centre. I did predict Hirini would be in the squad, and she could still play openside if Simon is at no.8. I'm not sure what Smith's preferred loose forward trio and midfield is, as some of the players in this squad weren't involved in the Aust tests.
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@Bovidae Yeah she's definitely a shot but Du Plessis has been in exceptional form this year. Her footwork pre-contact is amazing & I'd say she is quicker than Stacey. Keen to see what her defensive decision making is like against higher quality teams though.
Hiriini can definitely force her way in, she was so good over the ball for the Poua. I think the loose trio that played Aussie in the first test deserves first shot at it but that's dependent on Simon. She has a torn calf & they'll be pretty risk averse you'd assume with zero risk of missing the quarters. -
Wayne Smith: Avalanche uncovers gold mine
Rugby's professor Wayne Smith tells Jim Kayes where he's worried for the Black Ferns in their Rugby World Cup defence and why coaching them is one of the best things he's done.
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Hansen rules out tilt at top Black Ferns job after Smith departure
Assistant coach says she would like to remain involved with new world champions but selection may be out of her hands.
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It appears they are sticking with the Director of rugby role.
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@Bovidae said in 2022 Black Ferns:
It appears they are sticking with the Director of rugby role.
I found that funny as well. I wonder if that is the 'new' direction they are going to go with the Men's team as well. Director of Rugby but sets strategies, leads the coaches etc.
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@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
Assistant coach says she would like to remain involved with new world champions but selection may be out of her hands.
You'd also have to look at Bunting. Did he get a heads up earlier and that's why he isn't doing Chiefs?
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@Crucial said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae said in 2022 Black Ferns:
It appears they are sticking with the Director of rugby role.
I found that funny as well. I wonder if that is the 'new' direction they are going to go with the Men's team as well. Director of Rugby but sets strategies, leads the coaches etc.
Lining up Foster...
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Full interview in the Quality Rugby Podcast thread.
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@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
Full interview in the Quality Rugby Podcast thread.
Interesting stuff on the women’s game. Confirms that they are making every effort to try and grab the chance to work off the back of the RWC.
Trying for another PAC4 followed by the new WR comp but there are challenges around grounds during Women’s Football World Cup. Also going to really pump up the Aupiki comp, giving it this year to get established with a proper training lead up before looking further -
@Crucial Grounds like McLean Park in Napier, Trafalgar Park in Nelson, Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth, to name a few, are all excellent grounds for Black Ferns games. NZR needs to think outside their preferred box (mostly the Blues regions) and look at other stadiums. We have plenty good grounds that aren't used by the Women's Football World Cup.
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@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Crucial Grounds like McLean Park in Napier, Trafalgar Park in Nelson, Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth, to name a few, are all excellent grounds for Black Ferns games. NZR needs to think outside their preferred box (mostly the Blues regions) and look at other stadiums. We have plenty good grounds that aren't used by the Women's Football World Cup.
I don't know the full details but quite a few regional grounds are being used for training camps etc and FIFA has booked them out.
But as you say, the last PAC4 was in Tauranga and that worked. -
Also in that Lendrum interview, as the link says, he talks about Smith and the BFs. Lendrum was there on the first day and says Smith was massively inspirational and set the tone for everything that happened.
He told them on the first day that they would be playing a final at a sold out EP and they should be working to that picture. Made a promise and kept it.
