Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'It just makes me so proud… what they did for our country, our nation, our culture'

(Photo by Greg Bowker/Getty Images)

A lot happened in New Zealand rugby this year, but a “game changing tournament” clearly stands out for how its significance transcended sport and inspired a nation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Looking back at the year that was, the Black Ferns’ incredible World Cup triumph on home soil was a monumental occasion for both the women’s game and a rugby-mad nation.

If you’re reading this maybe you attended some of the Tests at Eden Park, or knew someone who did, or you might’ve just watched the games on TV – either way, the impact that the Black Ferns had on Aotearoa was felt by rugby fans around the world.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

The Black Ferns were by no means the favourites to defend their World Cup crown following a disastrous end-of-season tour the year before, but they dared to dream along with their nation.

After overcoming a valiant Wallaroos at Eden Park in their tournament opener, the passionate support behind New Zealand’s team grew with every Test.

Fast forward a few weeks and the Black Ferns were playing against France at New Zealand’s home of rugby, in front of a sold-out crowd of rugby fans both young and old.

Then, just a week later, more than 42,000 supporters packed the stands at the famous venue for a historic final against World No. 1 England.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the final wasn’t without controversy and went down to the wire, the Black Ferns recorded a stunning upset win – and the celebrations that followed just prove how important this team is to their country.

Speaking on Episode 16 of the All Blacks Podcast, broadcaster Kirstie Stanway reflected on the history-making tournament which was “bigger than sport.”

“I’m not really a negative person but I can honestly say a few weeks before the World Cup, no one knew whether New Zealand was going to get behind this tournament,” Stanway said.

“No one knew if we would fill out half of Eden Park, let alone fill Eden Park out three times across a six week period. No one knew that.

ADVERTISEMENT

“As the tournament went on and the support (grew)… it felt more and more like 2011 when you would rive up and down the country and you’d see the hay bales that had All Blacks painted across them, but yet this was for the Black Ferns.

“It’s just totally changed sport. That final, I was down on the sideline and I struggled to watch the game because I was just looking up behind me in awe that there is 45,000 people that sold this out.

“It just makes me so proud to be a women, it makes me so proud to be Maori hearing Ruahei Demant and hearing Ruby Tui and seeing what they did for our country, our nation, our culture.

“I get emotional speaking about it but it’s a game changing tournament and it’s just bigger than sport. It’s bigger than rugby and it’s bigger than rugby what all 32 of those women managed to do.

“They’re incredible, they’re great ambassadors.”

The Black Ferns lost two Test matches against both England and France during their end-of-season tour the year before – and they were beaten badly too.

But under the tutelage of super coach Wayne Smith, New Zealand were able to revolutionise their game.

Smith, who won World Rugby’s Coach of the Year last month, will go down in history as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport.

“You have to give a massive shoutout to Wayne Smith because the style of rugby they played was so entertaining,” she added.

“Someone like my dad who wouldn’t normally watch women’s rugby, he gets bored watching Super Rugby sometimes, but that’s some of the best rugby he’s ever seen.

“Wayne Smith created that style because we have the best athletes in the world, so he allowed them to be themselves, to show what they’ve got, to express themselves.

“In turn, everyone fell in love with them. It was special, it was so, so special.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

You forget that this was the 3rd Test between the AB's and the English this year. They were prepared and they knew how to keep NZ quiet. The Boks is not NZ.


The Boks is a whole other level. You overestimate England and underestimate the Boks. Clearly you haven't really looked at the teams. Besides the Irish games earlier this year, the Boks have mainly used experimental sides, even against the AB's.


Now they have chosen their best team available. They have targeted this game. The Boks mean business. Man for man, this Bok team is better. In strategy and player abilities there is no comparison and they are outmatched.


There isn't just monster strength, but unreal speed. In broken play there is currently no better team as well as defensively, not to even talk about the attacking threat, both from front and the back.


I'd say read between the lines, see what everyone is seeing, but clearly you are wearing blinders and is also putting too much emphasis on an AB's team the Boks beat twice this year, the same AB's that beaten England 3 times this year.


When Rassie gets serious, the players become machines. There is no stopping them. That bench is loaded with players that is fast, strong and have exceptional skills. This is a team not many teams will face before the 2027 WC, because the Boks doesn't use their best between WC's in one game. All experimental.


You will be proven wrong on Saturday and then you will wonder how you could have been so wrong. This Bok team means serious business. They came to conquer and not just by a close score. They want to demolish and they will. This England team at most is a 60 min team. Against the Boks that just won't cut it

14 Go to comments
H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

Not bizarre, but needed. Everyone usually lifts their game against the Boks. Now instead of facing reality, they prefer to live in the past and look hopefully toward the score of the WC semi, hoping they can recreate that result and by some miracle snatch a victory.


It's better than the alternative knowing what is going to happen. Especially looking at the experimental squads the Boks put up against the Wallabies in the RC, not using their best team. That same Wallabies beat them last week.


Now the Boks isn't using an experimental squad. They put out as close to the strongest team the Boks have available at the moment. That must scare the pants off of them. If an experimental squad can destroy the Wallabies, what would the strongest team be able to do to the English?


Instead of sinking into dispear, they prefer to hope that their players can match the Boks. Even though they know what is coming. The English are scared and they won't show it.


Now imagine how Wales must feel knowing they are up next weekend? They don't even have the dubious record of at least close losses like the English. It's a complete nightmare for these 2 countries and rightly so.


The Boks usually take the pedal of the medal post WC's, but not this Bok team. They are better than the WC winning Boks of both '19 and '23. They are stronger up front. They are faster at the back. They can hit front and back. In broken play they are the most dangerous team. They have the best defence and attack also scoring the most tries.


In a way I feel sorry for both the English and Wales. Only those with blinders on expects a close game. Looking at both teams man to man, strategy to strategy, play to play, they are so outmatched it would be a joke if it wasn't so serious. We need the NH to be strong and we need the gap to become closer in rugby so the game stay exciting because runaway scores sometimes is fun, but it doesn't bring as much joy as a close game won.

14 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ 'Two groups of dancing bears': The cross-code clash making a comeback for charity 'Two groups of dancing bears': The cross-code clash making a comeback for charity
Search