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The Black Ferns are starting to get the publicity and recognition they deserve after many years of struggling to get funding to help improve their game.
With fans at the current Women’s Rugby World Cup attaching themselves to the players, there is a definite shift away from the men’s game to find their female idols. “But that’s 20 years of work right there,” stated an emotional Alison Hughes, World Rugby head of women’s competitions, on the battle to get women’s rugby taken seriously.
I decided to spend some time on a particular team, and that choice was the Black Ferns, the national women’s rugby team of New Zealand. This is a team who have won five of the past six Women’s Rugby World Cups and have an 84% winning record in Test matches. They are playing in the current World Cup and have secured a quarter-final berth, with their likely final opponent to be England.
The Black Ferns were world champions in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2017. From 2002 to 2009 they won 24 consecutive Test matches. Farah Palmer was captain from 1997 to 2005 and she was also inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, along with Anna Richards and Huriana Manuel-Carpenter. Coaches over the years have included Darryl Suasua with a 95 % win record, Jed Rowlands who hit 100% and their current coach is former All Black Wayne Smith.
They are without doubt the best women’s rugby team over the years.
But as with many women’s sports, they suffered in the past from no publicity, funding or recognition. Funding is starting to improve and this is related to the Black Ferns’ success with the Women’s Provincial Championship reinstated in 2010 where they won the 2010 World Cup. In 2018 the Black Ferns were offered semi-professional contracts, but questions remained as to how sustainable women’s rugby would be.
Based on the standard seen so far in the World Cup, with expansive rugby bringing 53 tries in the opening six games, there must be optimism for the future of women’s rugby. New Zealand have beaten Australia and Wales, with an army of new fans being brought along for the ride. Young and old supporters helped set a record for the biggest women’s sporting event in New Zealand’s history. One new fan is NZ Herald writer Jim Kayes who summed it up, “there is a lot to like about the women’s game and even more to enjoy about the Black Ferns.”
Players have been spending hours after matches chatting to signing autographs for fans wanting to meet their new heroes. Ruby Tui, fullback and winger for the Black Ferns said about one young supporter, “She knew everything about our team, she was like nine years old. It’s emotional because the growth of the game is that tangible, it’s that significant.”
Tactical kicking is not so prevalent so running rugby is the solution, which is a far better option and will be appreciated by new fans. The leg power to produce big punts may be lacking which might be why the AFL women’s game is not as appealing as women’s rugby.
An impressive player so far has been Portia Woodman who might well be the superstar of the tournament. She has scored 36 tries in 22 Tests and has all the skills of an attacking wing. That is no surprise as her father is Kawhena Woodman and her uncle is Fred, who both played for Northland and the All Blacks in the 80s.
The women will be enjoying this tournament and having the time of their lives. England are 4/9 favourites and have been promised 15,000 pounds if they win the tournament. But the Black Ferns on their home ground will be extremely hard to beat.
Will this take women’s rugby to another level?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.