The Black Ferns’ eight-try triumph against Australia in Christchurch on Saturday was barely adequate, according to head coach Wayne Smith, who is seeking changes before next week’s rematch in Adelaide as they prepare for the World Cup.
The scoreline was satisfactory for Smith, who witnessed the Black Ferns win 52-5 to retain the Laurie O’Reilly Cup at Orangetheory Stadium and hold off the Wallaroos until the final minute of the game, but some of his players’ performance was not.
Smith and co-captain Ruahine Demant have made no secret of their desire for the Black Ferns to play with pace and ambition at the World Cup, which begins on October 8, but this comes with the requirement for precision.
“There’s no doubt you’ve got to be thrilled with the score,” Smith remarked. “However, we are a little dissatisfied with some of the talent level.” We had a great week working hard on playing a large game, and we probably left maybe five or six attempts on the table.
“We either went too flat or dropped the ball.” It’s excellent, since we still have some work to do.
“We were pushing these females to play at a high level. To be able to play at such speed, you must have excellent execution. We’ve been at it for three or four months and are still building.”
With the Black Ferns’ pack muscling up at the set piece and demonstrating strong consistency with their passing game, the backline led by Kendra Cocksedge and first-five Demant had plenty of possession and usually used it well.
However, it is virtually universally acknowledged that the host side will struggle to match European giants England and France up front at the World Cup, which is why they aim to reach to the point where they can run any team off their feet.
And, with Cocksedge, Demant, and left wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga in in terrific form (five tries between them), who knows?
“We work a lot in the dojo,” Smith explained. “We’re conditioned for war, and we’re starting to put it on the field more and more.” However, you must also be practical. We won’t be able to outmuscle some of the bigger opponents, so we’ll have to be smart about how we play – increase the speed of the game.
“I want to represent this nation for myself.” We are a pioneering and imaginative country. That’s exactly what I want us to be.”
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“I’m considerably fitter than I’ve ever been because of the game we’re attempting to play,” Demant remarked.
“We hold ourselves to a high level, and there is still a drive to strive for more and more.” We still have a lot of gas in the tank.”
After a catastrophic northern trip last year, the Black Ferns have won the Pacific Four Nations and are totally connected and motivated under their new coaching staff, with the passion to play for each other visible in their defence.
“I thought our defence was absolutely outstanding,” Smith said. “Our numbering off and the execution of the tackle I thought was superb. The pack played really well, there some good performances there. We put some pressure on their lineout and scrum. We gave a few penalties away at the breakdown which was disappointing but we can fix that pretty easily.”
Smith added, “I felt our defence was just amazing.” “I thought our numbering off and tackle execution were excellent.” The pack performed admirably, with some standout performances. We applied pressure to their lineout and scrum. We handed up a few penalties in the breakdown, which was disappointing, but we can easily address that.”
“I’ve seen other teams march behind their banners during World Cups.” You can’t assess them based on their performance in these games. They get an arm and a leg. We were astonished by it for a long time with the All Blacks.”
Cocksedge, 34, who is reaching the end of her career, was an inspiration for the Black Ferns in what may be her final home Test.
Smith said, “She’s a step ahead of the world, isn’t she?” when asked to summarise her performance after stating Cocksedge seemed a “step ahead” on Saturday.
Demant also said Cocksedge had asked to lead the haka, demonstrating the fearlessness she wishes to instil among her comrades.
“It was an unique one for her, a really meaningful one.”
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