Tara-Jane Stanley says England men’s gut-wrenching World Cup semi-final defeat has strengthened the women’s side's resolve ahead of their own last-four showdown tonight.
On Monday, they face New Zealand for a place in Saturday’s final, barely 48 hours after Shaun Wane’s team suffered a shock exit at the hands of Samoa. England’s women's side have comfortably won all three games but face a huge challenge against New Zealand Ferns at York star Stanley’s home ground. The 2022 Woman of Steel said: “We had a little conversation after the men’s game.
“It was just around how we’re enjoying ourselves so much and living in the moment that that’s really the first time that we’ve recognised it’s going to end. We don’t want it to end the way it ended for the men. It was gutting. We know we need to perform but we know we can do it. That’s all that matters.”
New Zealand almost caused an shock when pushing back-to-back champions Australia so close in their final group game before being edged out 10-8. Stanley, starring at centre after a surprise switch from full-back, said: “It was a fabulous game. They've a strong side. They have some great individuals there and are a big nation. They are known for their power.
“But I think coming off the back of our last game against Papua we shocked a lot of people with how physical we are. England aren’t known for being a physical side but we showed with our goalline D and some of the contacts we put in that we are. We grew more confident. New Zealand are a team to be respected. But so are we.”
As much as England go in as underdogs given many of New Zealand's players are NRLW professionals, side-stepper Stanley - who's scored six tries in three World Cup games so far - is undaunted. She said: "We’re really confident going into it. "We’re not focusing much on them. We’re focusing more on us and that’s been the difference in this World Cup compared to World Cups I’ve been in previously.
"With us watching the NRLW and a lot of the Australians and Kiwis being in that we appreciate the game and their competition is great to watch. But we also appreciate and respect our competition and the girls we have in our squad."
Australia take on Papua New Guinea in the first of a semi-final double header to deceive who play in Saturday’s Old Trafford final.
