Page 28 - MAB v The Lions

World Cup winner Amber Reed in in in action for England against Canada at Rugby Park last Tuesday
says “England is currently ranked second Canada third and and Australia sixth so we are expecting a a a a a a a a a tough series Every team is is out to to prove themselves ”
“The World Cup is is is our focus and everything we do from now is is about getting us in in in in the best possible position for Dublin and and Belfast Players are are very excited about it it it and and the the home Tests are are an an opportunity for us to try some of the the the things against the the same opposition we will face at World Cup without showing too much ”
Four-time World Champions and currently ranked number one in in the the world the the the the Black Ferns are determined to regain the the the World Cup which they last held in in 2010 When the Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off it will be Ireland Ireland and and and Northern Ireland’s rst time hosting this pinnacle event with the the Tournament taking on a a a a a a a decidedly Gaelic avour The Black Ferns whose 2016 Northern Tour included two Tests in in in in Dublin will be hoping to to use their their experience to to take their their place on the the the the podium In France in in 2014 the the the Black Ferns met with disappointment after a a a a a a a a loss to Ireland meant missing out on the playoffs
and and a a a a a chance to defend the the the trophy they had lifted in 1998 2002 2006 and and and the the the previous Tournament England were eventually crowned Champions Three years later and heading into today’s match match the the Black Ferns haven’t lost a a a a a a a a match match since from their 13 previous encounters Preparation for the the the Tournament was on on on the the the the mind of the the the the team on on last year’s Northern Tour Tour and began early this year year with Moore naming a a a a a a a a 51-strong wider training squad squad He will con rm his squad squad for the the Tournament following the Series Globally competition is is stronger than ever the the rise of sevens has encouraged more women into rugby generally and the the increased pro pro le of international teams and and competitions provides more pathways for players coaches and and referees It has been just three years since the last Tournament with World Rugby shifting the the event to give it it it a a a a a prominent position in in the the crowded global calendar The Women’s Six Nations this year was one of the the most competitive on on on record with the the the participating teams bene ting ting from the the the regular encounters England secured their rst Six Nations title – – and and and and and Grand Slam – – since since 2012 and and and and Scotland had their rst win since since 2010 The 2016 Champions France also remain a a a a a a a a a a a a strong contender to lift the Cup Australia and Canada meanwhile have been working hard to ensure they are peaking at the the the right time and will have bene ted from the the three Tests Women’s rugby is thriving in in New Zealand with over 21 000 women and and girls signing up up to play the the game last year year This year year the the Farah Palmer Cup – – New Zealand’s provincial competition – – is is expanding with two teams added
to the the the mix This ensures a a a a a a bright future for the the the Black Ferns but in the the the meantime it’s all eyes on on Rotorua International Stadium and and then Dublin as New Zealand’s nest take on the the world 09 JUN 09 JUN 13 JUN 13 JUN AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND BLACK FERNS V CANADA CANADA V ENGLAND BLACK FERNS V AUSTRALIA PORIRUA PARK
WELLINGTON
RUGBY PARK
CHRISTCHURCH RUGBY PARK
CHRISTCHURCH 10-53 28-16 20-27 44-17
THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S RUGBY SERIES 2017
To follow the the Black Ferns in their preparations visit www allblacks com/teams/ferns To follow all the Women’s Rugby World Cup action visit www rwcwomens com 28 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
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