Five
Alive
The Black Ferns will head to France in August
to try to claim their fifth successive World Cup.
It’s an amazing record and one they have worked
fearsomely hard to preserve. LIAM NAPIER reports.
FEATURE COURTESY OF NZ RUGBY WORLD.
uccess, naturally, creates
expectation. For the Black
Ferns, clinching the last
four World Cups inevitably
means they are again
expected to defend their
crown in August.
Comparatively only the Black Sox, with
six softball world championships, have a
more formidable record at pinnacle events.
“It’s a pretty amazing feat the Black
Ferns have in terms of World Cups and
hopefully we can again be successful in
this one,” Canterbury second five-eighth
Amiria Rule, who played in the 2002 and
’06 triumphs, says.
Despite suggestions to the contrary,
history affects all teams. A record such as
one the Black Ferns possess could be a heavy
burden. New players are under pressure to
match the achievements of those before
them in Paris, while veterans will be eager
to lead from previous experience.
“Playing for the Black Ferns you know
that legacy and reputation they have,”
Kelly Brazier, the top points scorer at the
last World Cup, says. “You are expected
to perform.”
Coach Brian Evans, who came on board
in 2009, sums it up best, though.
The World Cup is an event his players
embrace as it offers a rare chance to
actually take on international opponents.
“The players enjoy the challenge,”
Evans says. “Traditionally it’s when the
Black Ferns get most of their games.
Historically there haven’t been a lot of
carry on the legacy that was set-up before
them. The team culture is incredibly strong
and always has been. We’re constantly
reminding them of what it means to play
for the Black Ferns.”
Evans’ squad has received what could
turn out to be a defining wake-up call since
the last World Cup.
Sick of being bridesmaids, England,
the traditional rivals, pumped significant
resource into their environment and
immediately reaped rewards.
In a major shock, the English won six
successive Tests against the Black Ferns in
2011-2012. Prior to that horror stretch the
team boasted a 90 per cent winning record
across all Tests.
“Before that I think we lost something
like one game in 15 years,” Brazier says.
Boosted by the unique ability to have
most of their athletes and coaches work
together full-time – Evans’ main job comes
as principal at Kelston Boys’ High School
in Auckland – England stole the mantle as
the world’s best side for two years. And it
didn’t sit right.
“Things like that can make a lot of
difference. The first couple of years were
hard work because we were chasing the
English,” Evans says. “They had put a lot of
resource into their game. We also lost a lot
of players after the World Cup in 2010. We
had to rebuild and that takes time. There
wasn’t enough time and effort put in and
we definitely took a dip.”
This time, though, it was more than just
the traditional post-tournament blues.
een a dip, because
r World Cups,” Rule
trend over the last 12
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S RUGBY SERIES
GREAT MOMENT
The Black Ferns
celebrate winning
the 2010 World Cup.
10