Rugby World Cup: New Zealand aim for a sixth title against the indomitable English

New Zealand, chasing a record sixth world title – will have to outpace themselves at home on Saturday in Auckland, at a sold-out Eden Park, to reign in the English women at their best and eager to recover. in 2017.

In nine finals, it is the fifth between these two teams, with the New Zealanders so far (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2017) winning the last. Therefore, it is a great challenge that awaits the “Red Roses”.

But Sarah Hunter’s teammates, by extending their winning streak to 30 matches last weekend against Canada in the semi-finals (26-19), have earned themselves the right to face New Zealand, in a new version of the 2017 final winning 41 to 32. From “Black Fern”.

And according to England manager Simon Middleton, the 40,000 or so expected on Saturday will add to the pressure on the hosts.

Middleton estimated Thursday “It would necessarily be more intimidating for them. Losing in front of their fans, it would be very difficult. The pressure on them is absolutely enormous.”

– ‘Match our lives’ –

England regularly plays matches in which the crowd stands against them: on April 30 in Bayonne, they won the Six Nations against the French (24-12), without flinching.

“We’ve already been to quite hostile environments. Bayonne this year has been great, but it’s the kind of playground you thrive on,” Middleton asserted. And Saturday, it won’t be any different. I think we’re going to thoroughly enjoy it.”

For this meeting, by the end of which England will hope to win its third world title after 2014 and 1994, it will be the Red Roses without the spine-injured Hannah Potterman and the stern Helena Rowland.

As for New Zealand, they made only one change in the starting fifteen, Charmaine McMenamin replacing third line Liana Michael Too, who had a thumb injury.

New Zealand assistant coach Wes Clarke said the English were “definitely the team to beat, probably the best women’s team ever, but we’re ready”.

New Zealand’s third-line Sarah Hernie believes the Black Ferns should do better than their match against France in the semi-final, who won by just one point (25-24).

“We have to be much better if we want to win the World Cup,” Herini said.