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‘It’s going to be very special’: Hannah King to play in front of parents at Allianz Stadium

251 days ago

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 11: Hannah King of New Zealand kicks it through during the 2024 Pacific Four Series match between New Zealand Black Ferns and USA at FMG Stadium Waikato on May 11, 2024 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Growing up on her family farm in rural New Zealand, Hannah King’s father would regale her with stories of the stadium he most wanted to tick off his rugby bucket list.

This Saturday, Peter and his wife Adele will finally make it to Twickenham to watch a match at the newly renamed Allianz Stadium and as an added bonus their daughter will be centre stage.

Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting has retained Hannah in his starting line-up meaning the Hurricanes Poua fly-half will win only her fourth cap in front of more than 40,000 fans at the iconic stadium.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

King retains her place in the starting XV from the 62-0 defeat of Australia in Brisbane in July and will orchestrate an exciting backline that includes the returning Ayesha Leti-I’iga.

However, for her parents, King’s inclusion in the Black Ferns squad for the trip to London, and WXV 1 in Canada, was enough to convince them to book their first ever trip overseas.

“My dad has just always had a dream to go watch a game of rugby there,” King revealed this week.

“He’s always talked about when he goes overseas, he’ll try to get a game there and I’m very lucky they’re coming over so it’s going to be very, very special.

“They’re coming over to watch and it’s just going to be special for me to be playing and for him to be able to watch because that’s his dream stadium.”

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King added: “As soon as I got the opportunity to be in the team, he was booking the tickets!

“So, it’s going to be very special to run out there and know that they’re in the crowd and they’ve finally got overseas, because they’re farmers so they don’t get the opportunity to leave home very often.”

King made her Test debut as a replacement against USA in May and subsequently started both O’Reilly Cup matches against the Wallaroos, won by an aggregate score 129-19.

Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant will again start the match at inside-centre and despite competing for the starting 10 jersey, King says her fellow playmaker has been nothing but welcoming.

“I’ve learned so much. She’s such an amazing mentor for me as a young player coming through,” King revealed.

“Any question I have, she’s answering it. If I ask her to stay out late to go through some things, she’s there helping me.

“She’s honestly such an amazing player and I’m just so lucky to have her in the team with me and to learn off her. She’s honestly amazing and I can’t thank her enough.

“Even for this game, just learning about her previous experience and how she deals with it and she’s just been amazing with also.”

Saturday’s match will be available to stream live and for free via RugbyPass TV outside of the UK, Ireland and New Zealand.

New Zealand team to play England:

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Tanya Kalounivale
4. Alana Bremner
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
7. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) (23) (Co-Captain)
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
9. Maia Joseph
10. Hannah King
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo
12. Ruahei Demant (37) (Co-Captain)
13. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt
14. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
15. Renee Holmes

Replacements:
16. Atlanta Lolohea
17. Kate Henwood
18. Amy Rule
19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
20. Layla Sae
21. Iritana Hohaia
22. Amy du Plessis
23. Ruby Tui

Comments

1 Comment

BC 251 days ago

I hope Peter and Adele King enjoy the occasion. I suspect though that they will be disappointed by the result

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 9 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 9 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 9 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 9 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍