England v New Zealand: A Rivalry Renewed in Women’s Rugby

The Allianz Stadium will host an epic clash on Saturday as England’s women’s rugby team faces New Zealand. With England undefeated for over a year, riding a 29-game winning streak in the Six Nations, and boasting three consecutive Grand Slams, they are undeniably a force to be reckoned with. Yet, it’s the Black Ferns, with their unmatched World Cup record, that remain the Red Roses’ greatest nemesis, having defeated England in all five World Cup finals they’ve contested.

Their last encounter in the 2022 World Cup final saw New Zealand triumph in a thrilling 34-31 victory. However, England’s hunger for revenge has fueled a 16-game unbeaten run since, including a statement win over the Black Ferns in the WXV tournament.

For England captain Marlie Packer, the 2022 final left a lasting scar. “It was the worst time for me as I was truly heartbroken,” she told BBC Sport. However, Packer believes her team has shown immense growth since then.

New Zealand, despite being world champions, also carries a sense of unfinished business. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu acknowledged the disappointment of their WXV loss to England but emphasized the Black Ferns’ enduring success and determination to bounce back.

The fixture is set to draw a massive crowd, with 40,000 tickets sold. England coach John Mitchell confirmed that the team would show respect to New Zealand’s haka, a pre-match tradition that continues to electrify the competition. England’s Zoe Aldcroft shared that facing the haka always gives her “goosebumps” and pumps the team up before the intense battle ahead.

England’s experienced center Emily Scarratt, returning after neck surgery, is set to make her 100th start for the Red Roses. Despite a slow comeback earlier in the year, coach Mitchell is confident in her current form, describing her as “looking really good” and back to her best after a full pre-season.

With both sides boasting a wealth of talent and an intense rivalry, the match promises to be a fierce contest as England looks to continue their dominance, while New Zealand aims to reassert themselves as world-beaters ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup final.

Line-ups:

England: Kildunne; Dow, Scarratt, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Carson, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Feaunati, M Packer (capt), Matthews.

New Zealand: Holmes; Leti-I’iga, Brunt, Demant (co-captain), Vahaakolo; King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Bremner, Roos, Mikaele-Tu’u, Tukuafu (co-captain), Olsen-Baker.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa).