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The decorators have been hard at work at the home of English rugby over the last fortnight, a first renaming of the national stadium since its opening requiring a rather hasty refurbishment. Out with the British Airways banners and now antiquated iconography, in with the Allianz logos after the insurance giants struck a lucrative agreement to become the title partner of the ground formerly known as Twickenham.
There could be fewer better fixtures to inaugurate the re-titled temple. For the horticulturally-minded, rose and fern are relatively seldom seen alongside one another but in women’s rugby these two plants represent the ruling dynasties of the sport. The hosts are ranked first in the world and have lost once in their last 47 matches; visitors New Zealand dealt them that defeat in the 2022 World Cup final.
“There’s always an excitement around it,” Red Roses lock and vice-captain Zoe Aldcroft beamed, sporting a shiner courtesy of captain Marlie Packer’s boot after a “brutal” training week. “It’s world champions against world number one.
“Every week we try to be at our best in training but yeah, there is that extra edge going into it. You always want to get that extra edge when playing the Black Ferns. We’re going to go into the game and attack it.”
England exorcised a few ghosts at WXV last November, gaining a measure of revenge by beating the Black Ferns in their own backyard. But this is another opportunity for John Mitchell’s side to remind the world that, while New Zealand have won the last two World Cups, it is they that are leading the way in this particular rugby realm.
There is every chance, of course, that these two already have the date of next year’s World Cup final (27 September 2025) inked into their diary for another Allianz Stadium rendezvous. It is the ambition of the organisers that next year’s showpiece is a sell-out, something that is eminently achievable given the current trajectory.
That said, an expected attendance just over 40,000 represents something of a step back on recent progress. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) had been privately hoping to achieve a figure of about or in excess of 60,000 that would have enabled the occasion to break even. After better than anticipated sales for the drubbing of Ireland during the Women’s Six Nations, it is a slight shame that a crowded calendar and awkward timing have prevented a record-breaking crowd.
The travelling Black Ferns have very much enjoyed their time in England so far, particularly having been treated to an audience (and group hug) with the King this week. Footage of Charles’ embrace has caused quiet consternation among some in a Red Roses squad yet to meet the monarch – though Mitchell, who has straddled both sides of this rivalry in men’s rugby, was smart enough to play the diplomat.
“It’s traditional for New Zealanders to go to Buckingham Palace,” Mitchell said. “I’ve experienced that twice in my own life. I was very fortunate to meet the Queen and her little corgis, and then had the privilege of meeting Lady Di[ana], as well.”
It makes a welcome change, though, to see New Zealand on these shores fully prepared after the disaster that was their last European tour. The Black Ferns were a long way below expectations on the pitch in 2021, as was reflected in significant defeats in Exeter and Northampton, and the trip served to highlight a concerning environment off it that prompted cultural change. The subsequent overhaul of the programme, emboldening of the players and installation of Wayne Smith as head coach paid dividends as the Black Ferns retained their World Cup crown.
Allan Bunting is now in charge after impressive work in sevens, and has electric wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga back in his starting side after a long injury lay-off. Such is the talent still being drawn from an ever productive well that Ruby Tui can be left to make an impact from the bench, while a start for 20-year-old Hannah King has prompted the fly half’s parents to leave New Zealand for the first time.
In another world, England flanker Maddie Feaunati might have been taking her first formative steps in a black shirt. But the Red Roses won a tug-of-war for the Leeds-born back row, who is beginning to deliver on sky-high potential first identified by England assistant Sarah Hunter. Feaunati makes a second straight start and gets the chance to catch up with plenty of old friends and foes from her time coming through in Wellington.
“We don’t really talk about that noise to create that story in her mind,” Mitchell insisted. “What was more important is to make sure her emotional and physical tank was full this week after the outstanding performance she gave last week.
“Having been immersed in our programme for seven months, I think it is a credit to the environment and culture that it allows someone to get rid of the fears of judgement, failure and belonging pretty quickly.”
Though a win would be a fine way to mark the cutting of the ribbon on Allianz Stadium, England will hope to be sternly tested. There are some who feel that the Red Roses’ long winning run ahead of the last World Cup, and particularly their thrashings of the Black Ferns a year prior, led to a slight complacency – including Mitchell.
“We’ve chosen these two challenges [against France and New Zealand] because we want to get experience and lessons to learn from,” the head coach explained. “We felt that the last time we went into the World Cup, we possibly didn’t get enough lessons to learn from. It’s one thing being a winning side, but when you win often, you can take your eye off the ball.
“It’s a big fixture, but it’s not about making it any bigger than it is. We’ll enjoy the opportunity to play at Twickenham, and we want to make that more consistent. It’ll be a great experience for us.”
