Black Ferns lose to Canada for first time

Canada are one the the best teams in Womens XVs but had never beaten the Black Ferns. They have now done so in Christchurch on their 18th attempt, and NZ will slip to 3rd in the World Rankings.

These games are part of the Pacific Four Series, and Canada has taken the overall title.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350280017/canada-create-history-beating-black-ferns-christchurch

Wow. Canada have been steadily improving and this shows how much better they've become.

They've got some excellent players, and I believe the Black Ferns have not been as good since the World Cup. Well played Canada.

The interesting question for me is whether this is a blip for the Ferns or whether they can raise their game for RWC25. Not to downplay what Canada have achieved, but at the moment it looks like Canada, France and the Ferns are very closely matched while England are some way ahead. While I would dearly love to see the Red Roses win at Twickenham next year, for the good of the game they need someone to close the gap on them.

The update to the rankings illustrates the gap: England can now only earn ranking points from Canada, NZ and France, and then only playing away from home. In England, they are so far ahead of even the second ranked team that they can only lost points.

By contrast, on the men's side the Boks can still take a small points boost winning at home against Ireland, NZ or France, and it's only when you get down to England that they have to be playing in at least a neutral venue. They can even get points if they beat Scotland in Scotland.

Poorfour wrote:The interesting question for me is whether this is a blip for the Ferns or whether they can raise their game for RWC25. Not to downplay what Canada have achieved, but at the moment it looks like Canada, France and the Ferns are very closely matched while England are some way ahead. While I would dearly love to see the Red Roses win at Twickenham next year, for the good of the game they need someone to close the gap on them.

Interestingly there have been 7s tournaments in Singapore recently, and players like Portia Woodman-Wycliffe and the brilliant Stacey Waaka were involved there. I know that you can only play what's in front of you, but I bet those two make a difference to any team they play in. Not necessarily a weaker BF Team, but I bet it made a difference.

Mr Bounce wrote:

Poorfour wrote:The interesting question for me is whether this is a blip for the Ferns or whether they can raise their game for RWC25. Not to downplay what Canada have achieved, but at the moment it looks like Canada, France and the Ferns are very closely matched while England are some way ahead. While I would dearly love to see the Red Roses win at Twickenham next year, for the good of the game they need someone to close the gap on them.

Interestingly there have been 7s tournaments in Singapore recently, and players like Portia Woodman-Wycliffe and the brilliant Stacey Waaka were involved there. I know that you can only play what's in front of you, but I bet those two make a difference to any team they play in. Not necessarily a weaker BF Team, but I bet it made a difference.

One of the quirks of the women's game is that it's at a stage of its evolution where players are still switching between 7s and 15s, particularly for the Olympics. Ellie Kildunne is joining the GB 7s side (so I assume will miss WXV1 this year). The timing is pretty awkward with just over a year between Paris and RWC 25. Losing players to 7s does make a difference.

That said, I think when you consider the players who were injured / banned / bit part players / just not picked for England during the 6N, it shows how much of an advantage they're buiilding in terms of squad depth.

Meg Jones is also going to the 7s circuit. She wasn't even supposed to be in the starting lineup for England until the injury to Helena Rowland. And Helena Rowland is a very good replacement for Jones, possibly one of England's best as she's good everywhere she plays. Scaz at 13? Does she have any experience there? Just a bit.

Emma Sing could step in for Ellie Kildunne and still do an excellent job. She may not quite have Kildunne's speed and elusiveness but she's a very good player, plus she's an exceptional kicker. Abbie Dow could also play 15. Claudia MacDonald is back to fitness too so is an experienced and exciting wing option. Then there's Mia Venner as another alternative winger, who's in excellent form. All have been capped by England. Hell, even Scaz has played 15 for England, as has Helena Rowland. Both did pretty well there too.

The strength in depth England have is frightening.

Indeed, and I suspect it's only going to get better.

While some of the details are still being thrashed out, the RFU's move to take more control of the women's player pathway is explicitly intended to get more players ready for international rugby at an earlier point in their career.

We'll have to see how well it works, but having been a parent with a daughter at county U16 level for the past few years, there is a very exciting talent pool out there if they can bring it through successfully.