England’s Simon Middleton issues warning to new Black Ferns coach Smith

Simon Middleton has issued a warning to his newly installed New Zealand counterpart, Wayne Smith, suggesting that experience coaching men’s rugby does not necessarily translate in the elite women’s game.

Smith, a former All Blacks coach and widely considered one of the most astute minds in the sport, has been appointed director of rugby of the Black Ferns six months out from a home World Cup. The former All Blacks scrum coach Mike Cron has also been brought in, as has the 2011 World Cup winning coachSir Graham Henry in a supporting role. All three were involved in the 2011 triumph, but Middleton is not convinced their appointments will yield immediate success.

“I don’t know how much Wayne or Mike or any of the others have worked in the women’s game,” said England’s head coach as the Red Roses prepare for this weekend’s Six Nations game against Ireland. “Their knowledge part is obviously huge but the men’s and women’s programmes are very different, it takes time to get to understand the best ways of working.

“Just in terms of how you message, how you deliver coaching messages and different strategies. The men’s culture compared to the women’s culture within the squad is very different. It’s just a different psyche, a different approach. It will be interesting for them because it is very different.”

On the communication front, Smith has work to do. In a radio interview he described his squad as girls with “shining eyes” and also suggested cultural change was not needed within the camp, despite a recent review that ended with his predecessor’s resignation reporting instances of favouritism, body-shaming and cultural insensitivity in New Zealand women’s rugby.

England15. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)14.