2020 Black Ferns
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I'll put this in here cos I can't find a Black Ferns 2020 thread anywhere near the top. Girls are going to struggle for the RWC next year unless they get some game time in. Is the Womens 6N going ahead this year? Autumn 8 Nations for ladies too?
Black Ferns confirm three-match schedule to support World Cup preparation
The Black Ferns have confirmed a revised three-match schedule in November at the conclusion of the star-studded Farah Palmer Cup competition.
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@Bovidae North v South would only work if they selected the players from the North and South pools they are using now in the FPC (although still strongly favouring the North). North Island v South Island is near impossible, because the player pool in the SI is too small (only 3 FPC teams, one of which quite weak).
Possibles v Probables and Black Ferns v NZ Barbarians should be good games, although hopefully the BFs still get to play some test matches before the World Cup. The home nations still have the Six Nations. NZ and Australia need some tests, too.
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@Stargazer said in 2020 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae North v South would only work if they selected the players from the North and South pools they are using now in the FPC (although still strongly favouring the North). North Island v South Island is near impossible, because the player pool in the SI is too small (only 3 FPC teams, one of which quite weak).
Canterbury has dominated the FPC despite a lack of BFs. There are also a few players who started playing for SI provinces (e.g., Hohepa and Brazier for Otago) so would be SI-qualified. It could work if they used what you suggest as the regions.
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@Bovidae Otago also have a few good players that started in NI teams though. Maybe Canterbury, too. Players who started playing FPC while still at school, and then moved to Dunedin (Christchurch) to go to Uni.
Edited to add Ruby Tui to your list of players who started in the South.
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North Harbour, Waitakere and Nelson will play hosts to the top female players in New Zealand as they vie for a place in the Black Ferns squad in three matches next month.
The three-match schedule which includes a Possibles versus Probables presented by Steinlager match on Saturday 7 November, and Black Ferns versus New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer on Saturday 14 November and Saturday 21 November, replaces the scheduled 2021 Test Series following COVID-19 restrictions.
All three matches will be broadcast on SKY Sport.
The coaching staff for the three matches have been appointed.
Possibles
Head Coach: Chad Shepherd (Counties Manukau Heat)
Assistant Coaches: Anna Richards (Auckland Storm) and Scott Manson (Otago Spirit)Probables
Head Coach: Rodney Gibbs (Bay of Plenty Volcanix)
Assistant Coaches: Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury) and Willie Walker (North Harbour Hibiscus)New Zealand Barbarians
Head Coach: Rodney Gibbs (Bay of Plenty Volcanix)
Assistant Coaches: Chad Shepherd (Counties Manukau Heat) and Whitney Hansen (Canterbury)
Black Ferns November scheduleSaturday, 7 November
Possibles v Probables presented by Steinlager
North Harbour Stadium, North Shore
Kick-off: 2.05pmSaturday, 14 November
Black Ferns v New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer
The Trusts Arena, Waitakere, Auckland
Kick-off: 4.35pm
NB: this match is part of a women’s rugby triple header match day which includes NZ Defence Force v NZ Police (11.35am), and a RWC 2021 qualification match between Samoa v Tonga (2.05pm).Saturday, 21 November
Black Ferns v New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer
Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Kick-off: 4.35pmhttps://www.allblacks.com/news/match-venues-for-black-ferns-november-series-confirmed/
