The Black Ferns took on the World Rugby Cup 2021 with the goal to win – and they did beating England in the Final 34-31 at a sold-out Eden Park last night. Neither a dry eye on the field, in the coaches box, or amongst the ecstatic fans when the final whistle blew, New Zealand’s Black Ferns elevated Women in Sport to historic all time high.
It was not just the tenacious Black Fern play which pivoted the game from England leading up to the last quarter of the match, it was the ferocious belief that victory was there for the taking, no matter how strong the English Women were on field.
From the opening haka, to facing onslaught of England’s presence in 80 minutes of the match, to rattling the English Rose players whose all mighty strength lay in running mauls over the line – NZ’s Black Ferns won hellava impressive victory both on and off the pitch.
When analyzing the reach of the Black Ferns 2021 World Rugby Cup win, understanding how these passionate, tenacious and truly committed women have etched their names in history means re-counting the steps taken to break down mind-sets that have traditionally viewed rugby as a male dominated sport.
As Black Ferns Right Wing/Full Back player Ruby Tui states in pre-Final press conference alongside Kendra Cocksedge: ‘it’s 2010 and nobody knows who the Black Ferns are, nobody follows Women’s Rugby, we are told you will never be paid, we are not giving you Eden Park for the World Cup – we’ll give you somewhere which holds 5,000 people because you are not going to sell out – and here we are 12 years later – Eden Park is sold out bro!
Whether force of conviction to prove their worth on the field, or sheer willpower to perform at world class level, the 32 player Black Fern squad turned the face of Women in Sport skywards in front of 42,000 plus fans and followers world-wide.
Their never-say-die play strategy united a nation, overturned pundits opinions who yield to male domination of the sport, and clarified fact from fiction that the Black Ferns set benchmarks which have inspired, motivated, and captivated anyone who wants to make the impossible – possible.
From loosing 4 consecutive games in 2021 Northern Tour, to gathering thoughts of learning new skills from newly appointed coach – Wayne Smith – to establishing honest, humble, and loyal comradeship amongst all Team members, the Black Ferns have cut new version of what Women can achieve against all odds.
Given Ruby Tui’s recent publication of her autobiography ‘Straight Up’ which addresses all challenges on getting to this moment in print, the words said to Ruby by a primary school coach – ‘you should dream of being a Black Fern‘ from which her reply was ‘ who the heck are the frick’n Black Ferns?’ has well and truly been answered.
Header photo: Black Ferns winning Rugby World Cup 2021 at Eden Park on November 12 2022.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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