It’s been a rocky road for the defending champions, results-wise, since their 2022 title run, but the Black Ferns are benefiting from more consistency than the last time around in their quest for another world title.
Just a year before the 2022 showpiece event, the Kiwis limped out of a bruising European tour that saw them comfortably dismissed by both France and England, triggering urgent action from New Zealand Rugby.
Sir Wayne Smith answered the SOS call and brought decades of rugby nous and innovation once installed as head coach, and the country rallied behind a Black Ferns team bolstered by Black Ferns Sevens stars.
It was a chaotic run into the biggest women’s Rugby World Cup there had been, and that chaos was only put to rest in the dying moments of the final when Joanah Ngan-Woo stole England’s lineout to seal the trophy in front of a record Eden Park crowd.
Black Ferns playmaker Ruahei Demant went on to be crowned Player of the Year for her influence in the win, and is glad to see the team in a more stable position heading into the 2025 Rugby World Cup. She was asked to compare the lead-in to the 2022 campaign to this year.
“I don’t think you can compare the two, simply because there’s been a lot more stability this time around,” the team co-captain told reporters in Christchurch.
“When I reflect back on the Pacific Four Series the year of the 2022 World Cup, we had a lot of change, especially in our management staff. There were some surprises and changes in the playing squad that was selected, also.
“There’s been a lot more consistency from last season to this season. The only thing I can think of is that we didn’t get the results that we wanted last year; that’s the only thing that’s stayed the same.
“That’s not to say that we’re not just as ready for the World Cup this time around.”
The Black Ferns are in Christchurch to face Canada, who made history 12 months ago with their win over the Kiwis at the very same venue set to host them on Saturday afternoon, giving a special edge to the pivotal Pacific Four Series contest.
“It’s exciting, there aren’t many opportunities in sport where you get to rewrite history, and that’s the opportunity that we’re presented with on Saturday,” Demant said.
“To do it again, here in Chrsitchurch, exactly like last time, it’s exciting and a challenge that the team are walking towards and embracing.”
New Zealand will face the USA next weekend in Auckland to round out their Pacific Four Series, and then have one final Test match against Australia to prepare them for August’s World Cup. A game with the Black Ferns XV will also offer a chance to finalise combinations before departing for England.
“We only have four games before the World Cup, and every game is different. Every game brings challenges, but to have the opportunity to play Canada, ranked No. 2 in the world, it’s just an opportunity that we don’t get often as New Zealand, being so far away from all the other countries.
“We’re hoping for a really good result, but we know that things aren’t going to go perfectly on the day, and there’s also going to be a lot of lessons that we’ll take away from the game.”
