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Black Ferns Sevens icons stand tall during second-half blitz in Perth

Jorja Miller of New Zealand receives the ball during the 2024 Perth SVNS women's match between New Zealand and Japan at HBF Park on January 26, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Stacey Waaka. Michaela Blyde. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. All three players will go down in history as icons of the Black Ferns Sevens, and they showed the world why once again on Friday.

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It didn’t come easy but defending world champions New Zealand kicked off their Perth SVNS campaign with a promising 29-5 win over Japan at Perth’s HBF Park.

The full-time score might not necessarily show that the game was close, but Japan shot out of the blocks with an admirable start. They certainly threatened to take the lead, too.

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Jorja Miller talks to RugbyPass after the Black Ferns beat Japan | Perth SVNS

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Jorja Miller talks to RugbyPass after the Black Ferns beat Japan | Perth SVNS

Jazmin Felix-Hotham scored the opener for the New Zealanders in the second minute, but after a try to Japan’s Michiyo Suda shortly after, Felix-Hotham was shown a yellow card.

Down to six players, the Black Ferns Sevens were on the back foot. While their backs weren’t exactly up against the ropes, the Kiwis braced for a defining two-minute period.

But they stood tall. The first half was scoreless from that point, with the previously mentioned legends – including another generational talent – piling on the points.

That ‘generational talent’ is none other than Jorja Miller – the teenager who signed the longest contract by a women’s player in New Zealand last November.

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Waaka, Blyde, Woodman-Wickliffe and Miller all lived up to their reputations as world-class players during a second-half blitz from Australia’s neighbours from across the ditch.

“I’m not the new girl anymore but it’s cool,” Miller told RugbyPass after the match.

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“Being able to go out there and keep doing my job. The main thing is having fun and sevens is all fun.

“Being out there with the girls, I can’t complain and the pressure’s just on the outside.

“Being able to have cool, calm-headed players across the field makes it a lot easier,” she added.

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“Especially for when the girls come on and bring impact, to stay connected and just stay calm, trust our process.

“It’s pretty special to have such an experienced bunch.”

It was a tough afternoon for everyone, not just the New Zealanders, on Australia’s west coast. With the temperature up around 30 degrees Celsius, players braced for gruelling matches.

Miller, 19, walked off the field still breathing heavily after the match. The rising star was exhausted, but she still let out a chuckle when asked about the heat.

It’s hot in Perth – and that’s underselling it.

“I thought we had an upper hand coming from summer, whereas some of the countries are coming from winter but it’s definitely hot out here,” Miller said.

“We thought we’d be able to cope because it’s been windy the last couple of days but nah, it’s hot on that field.

“It’s been hot at home so we thought ‘surely this is good enough’ but we’ve been in the saunas trying to adjust.

“But there’s nothing like the heat playing rugby.”

The Black Ferns Sevens had their 41-game unbeaten streak brought to an end in the final of last month’s Dubai SVNS out in the desert. Australia emerged victorious that night.

Australia continued to stamp their authority on the SVNS Series in Cape Town a week later, while their Trans-Tasman rivals fell short with a shock loss to France in the semis.

But they’re not panicking. The Black Ferns Sevens are focusing on themselves as they look to bounce back in Perth.

“From the start of the season, we’ve known our journey and we’ve really bought into that so we’ve done a lot of work on our vision, our team culture and connection.

“We trust that if we all buy into that, the results should follow.”

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1 Comment
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Pecos 283 days ago

The Ferns were crap in the 1st half. What a mess. Against a stronger team they would’ve been smashed.

Thankfully they got back on track, somewhat, in beating Ireland in game 2. Still much to do.

Australia’s shock loss to GBR shows that Sevens is never a done deal. You have to be sharp at all times.

Let’s go Ferns!!!

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Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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