The Black Ferns will attempt to wrap up their test series against England at Waikato Stadium tonight.
Three days after their hard-fought 29-10 victory over the Red Roses in the first of three tests, the squad is fully fit and are out to build on their opening performance.
Black Ferns vice-captain Victoria Grant said the team were ecstatic to get the win at the weekend but the immediate turnaround meant they’ve had to quickly switch their attention to the second test.
”Obviously we’re on a high after that win but we’ve regrouped today,” Grant said prior to the team’s captain’s run.
”There’s definitely things we want to work on going forward into this game. We’ve got a new focus coming into this game so it should be good.”
The fullback, who has played 15 tests, believed the team’s preparations had been great and they were gunning for another win over England.
”We’ve come through Saturday’s game really well in terms of [the] limited amount of injuries and we’ve had the full team to pick from so there’s a lot of competition within the our team.
”Tomorrow night [tonight] we’re hoping to get up again.”
Grant, along with midfielder Chelsea Alley who debuted in the opening test, are the only two Black Ferns in the squad who play for Waikato. As one of the senior members in the side, Grant said she and Alley were thrilled about the opportunity to play an international test match at home in front of friends and family.
”Really excited about being in Hamilton, it’s great to have a test here. I’m really excited to have all our fans come, our friends and family.
”Me and Chelsea are from Hamilton so it’s great to be able to play at Waikato Stadium, just really looking forward to having the fans come out an support us.”
Meanwhile Black Ferns coach Brian Evans said the gap between test matches was a non-issue, saying some players preferred the short turnaround. Evans believed there were a number of things from the first outing against the English his side had addressed and expected his troops to improve from their opening performance.
”We were under a lot of pressure for long periods. Set pieces needs to be worked on, some of our back play was inaccurate so we’re just working on our performance really.”
Despite initial injury concerns around captain Fiao’o Faamausili, who exited Saturday’s test with an apparent hamstring injury, Evans said he had the luxury of picking from a fully fit squad.
”Some of them there’s a few niggles for sure, but that’s to be expected sort of playing again in three days. At this stage they’re ok, they’re ready to go.”
Black Ferns: Victoria Grant (vc), Selica Winiata, Claire Richardson, Amiria Rule, Renee Wickliffe, Kelly Brazier, Emma Jensen, Casey Robertson, Justine Lavea, Rawinia Everitt, Vita Dryden, Jackie Patea, Melodie Bosman, Fiao’o Fa’amausili, Ruth McKay. Res: Karina Stowers, Kathleen Wilton, Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox, Eloise Blackwell, Charmaine McMenamin, Kendra Cocksedge, Portia Woodman, Mele Hufanga.
– © Fairfax NZ News
Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-rugby-legend-gerald-davies-5068896
Black Ferns out to seal series with England
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