Black Ferns refuse to settle after Scotland win
Hansen named a host of changes to her starting side for the clash against Scotland, deliberately testing depth ahead of this week’s Test against England. It meant a first half that was, in her words, occasionally a little clunky but exactly the kind of pressure she wanted the wider squad to feel.
Chasing greatness, not good performances
Asked about the team's clinical spell either side of half-time, Hansen turned the conversation to standards rather than scoreboard margins.
“Outside of the outcome of points, we'll look at our processes and we'll look at our performance,” she said. “For any team we play against, the week before won't be good enough for the next week. If we're chasing great, we'll take away those learnings and be better again next week.”
It's a philosophy Hansen has clearly embedded through a touring group that has now spent extended time together.
“It's been a really special tour in the fact that we've got to get some real continuity in our rugby,” she said, adding that the extended time on the road has let the squad connect “as people” rather than in the short stints test windows usually allow.
New faces, same expectation
The rotation also gave debutants Ngano Tavake and Maia Davis their first taste of Test rugby. Black Ferns captain Georgia Ponsonby was full of praise for both, singling out Tavake's sacrifice to earn her jersey and Davis' impact off the bench, while also crediting every player who started or finished the match: “Everyone that we take away on tour is good enough to be a Black Fern.”
Eyes on England
Both Hansen and Ponsonby were already looking ahead to this week's Test against England at Twickenham, with Ponsonby confirming their performance against Scotland “won't be good enough to beat a quality England side.”
