France Scotland Australia Canada New Zealand county Wayne county Smith Rugby cup France Scotland Australia Canada New Zealand county Wayne county Smith

Rugby-Black Ferns need 80-minute performances to retain World Cup - Smith

channelnewsasia.com

(Reuters) - New Zealand will need to deliver consistent 80-minute performances in their remaining World Cup matches if they want to win the title for a sixth time, coach Wayne Smith said on Saturday after the Pool A winners thrashed Scotland 57-0.The defending champions all but secured top spot in the quarter-final seedings with their romp over the Scots on Saturday as Australia and France joined the hosts, England and Canada in the last eight."I just think we played really good heads-up rugby.

We were really physical, which is important, really physical up front... It wasn't as good in the second half but that often happens when you're up 45-0 at halftime," former All Blacks assistant coach Smith said."We haven't really played a complete game.

We've always played like a poor first half then a great second half or great first half, poor second half today. So, I think the focus for us is pretty much get our game together for the whole 80."Big moments, been there before.

We know what it takes, we've just got to produce it."Smith added that he was pleased that almost everyone in the Black Ferns squad had got a taste of the global tournament because of the much-changed team he put out."They were excellent in that first half, and so they've put themselves in line for future selection," he said.Arihiana Marino-Tauhino, standing in as captain for the rested Ruahei Demant, said the first knockout round would be a spectacle regardless of who the Black Ferns were paired with when the draw was decided on Sunday."Once you get to quarter-finals, the games change.

Related News
Holders New Zealand survived a last-minute missed penalty from France to book their place in the World Cup final against England with a 25-24 win in Auckland.
Michael Cheika said he will "certainly consider" a return to Lebanon's coaching set-up in 2025, after they were eliminated from the Rugby League World Cup following a 48-4 defeat to Australia in the quarter-finals at Huddersfield on Friday.
(Reuters) - Sevens standout Ruby Tui has been shifted to the wing to allow Renee Holmes to come in at fullback for New Zealand's women's World Cup semi-final against France at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.
LONDON : Always a man who works to the finest detail, England coach Eddie Jones has lined up his four November opponents to mirror what the team will face - or hope to face - if things go to plan in next year's Rugby World Cup.
MELBOURNE : Steve Smith will be happy to bat anywhere in the Australian order if called upon at the T20 World Cup and he might finally have his chance with injury doubts hanging over a number of his team mates.
Ireland's Rugby League World Cup exit has been confirmed after Lebanon defeated Jamaica 74-12 at the Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.