Black Ferns last stop before England

It was both messy and convincing last week. The Black Ferns doubling the French score at both full time and the break. Playing on top footy that we know and love, pushing the pass at the line but let's be honest, the timing was a little off. They may have found the grass more often than the player but you know if it stuck it would be making the highlight reel. The French picked them off at the breakdown with runners isolated but the Black Ferns got them back at lineout time. Prop, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, ending the match with two lineout steals off the French throw. A record surely for a front rower.

The defense continues to be a strength but the territory kicking was a little off. And do not get me started on the random pistons at the close to run down the clock (I HATED IT). It was a return to form for Braxton Sorensen-McGee who was perfect off the tee and made some strong carries. All in all, a good enough performance, despite the run of injuries. But one that will still need improving if we are to have a proper crack against the English.

So this match against Scotland this weekend is one we need to take seriously. To respect our opposition in our first match on Scottish soil. But also to ensure we have done all we can to get prepare for the big one next week. When you look at the lineup though, it appears Whitney Hansen is playing the long game. Looking well beyond next week and into the next generation she's developing.

There's more tweaks than I expected this week. Chryss Viliko gets a week off to give Ngano Tavake the shot at a debut from the bench. Layla Sae is back into a starting lineup for the first time post ACL injury. Alena Saili gets her first outing at 12 while Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a gets the start on the wing.

Maia Davis on the bench will make her Black Fern debut but I'm not entirely sure where. Most likely fullback unless Hansen really mixes things up and subs Maia Joseph on at 10 to gives Davis a go at halfback.

In a surprise to no one who read my newsletter last week, Arene Landon-Lane has been called up to the squad. She hasn't been named this week which means she's probably playing the same role as Shyrah did during the Pacific Four Series. Getting properly acclimatised to the environment ahead of any potential debut.

In the professional era, this is alright by me. I used to find it exploitative to ask players to take annual leave to tour around and hold tackle bags. But now that we are able to have more players on contract, it makes sense to expose them to pressure gradually if possible.

All in all then, it's a pretty different looking team than we have seen fielded so far this year. What will it look like in action? Well, likely 60 minutes for these players to show themselves. But if it's too messy, expect an earlier emptying of the bench. Those like Layla Sae, Amarante Sititi, Maama Vaipulu and Alena Saili will need big games. As they are all making their case for selection to play England next week.

Links for these streams are here:
Heat vs Canterbury
Cyclones vs Waikato
Tui vs Spirit

Back home, the matches I'm most interested in watching are the ones that will help shape the pathway to the finals. Can the Cyclones bounce back from last week's performance against Canterbury to climb into the number two spot over Waikato?
Likewise can the Wellington Pride do the same against the Northland Kauri to try and secure a home final? Can Hawke's Bay got three in a row and maintain their chances at a home final by getting up over old foes, Otago?

A special mention here to former Black Ferns captain, Eloise Blackwell, who runs out in her 100th match for Auckland this weekend.

It's a very special club of provincial legends that break triple digits given they have to get there in around 6 games a season. The girl from Great Barrier Island, might have started life 100kms north east of Auckland but she's been a defining feature of the Storm for nearly two decades. Longer than some of her current teammates have been alive! So congratulations to this stalwart of the blue and white. Go well!

With you,
Alice