Black Ferns are a 'new side' after last year's end-of-year tour
Star scrumhalf Kendra Cocksedge believes the Black Ferns are a “completely new side” after last year’s disappointing end-of-year tour, which included two losses to France.
The Black Ferns were comprehensively beaten in all four Test matches during the tour, including a 56-15 loss to World Number One England in Northampton.
As for their two Test matches in France, the hosts won both matches by at least 22-points, and will be full of confidence ahead of their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand this weekend.
But the Black Ferns have come a long way, that’s clear for all to see, and will be full of belief themselves after an utterly dominant tournament so far where they’ve scored 209 points in four matches.
Cocksedge, who is playing in her fourth World Cup, insisted that the team has “moved on” from last year’s tour and are ready for what’s next.
“Everything (has changed) to be honest with you, we’ve improved a lot,” Cocksedge said after the quarter-final win over Wales.
“We knew that tour wasn’t great and we’ve moved on from that, and we’re playing some really exciting rugby that everyone loves to watch.
“It’s fast paced, it’s causing chaos, our set-piece is getting there now, our defence is really, really good.
“We’ve just changed, we’re a completely new side.”
All Blacks centurion Mila Muliaina is confident that the coaching ability of Wayne Smith can help the Black Ferns get over the line on Saturday.
Smith was part of the coaching group that won two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks, and he’s also had success at Super Rugby level.
Speaking on The Breakdown, Muliaina said that France will come up against a “different team” this weekend.
“He hasn’t hidden away from the fact they want to play a different game,” Muliaina said.
“If I was France, this is a different team that you’re going to go up against.
“You’re looking at a team that want to play a hard, on top of the ground, fast game… so what do you do? You want to kick, you want to kick to isolate your back three, force them into mistakes or force them to kick it out and try and slow the game down.
“Smithy will draw all on that emotion that they would’ve had… the bits that relate to where they’re from, what their jersey is all about. We’re massive on that in terms of New Zealand rugby.
“He’ll draw on that the next couple of weeks to really fire the girls up because it’s going to come down to that little bit of emotion and they’re going to need it up front because that physical battle has to be won.”
For rugby fans, a World Cup Test match at Eden Park between New Zealand and France is an exciting repeat of history.
Both teams will be eager to keep their World Cup dreams alive when they run out to Eden Park for the second semi-final on Saturday.
As for the other semi-final, England will play Canada in an earlier game.
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The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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