“Can't Afford to Be on the Back Foot" — Hansen on Springbok Women’s challenge
Whitney Hansen broke ground as the first Black Ferns coach to name a team to play in South Africa today, which meant she was also the first to explain the challenge the Springbok Women will bring on home soil. The two sides meet in a historic occasion at Soweto’s vast FNB Stadium on the weekend, with the venue having a capacity of 94,000.
"What an exciting thing to look forward to,” said Hansen, who will take charge of her sixth match this season.
“Potentially 90,000 fans, a stadium that is gonna be absolutely heaving. How cool just for women's rugby and the Black Ferns as well to be there doing it."
While yet to be confirmed, it is believed that FNB will be the largest stadium to ever host a women’s rugby test. It’s something that’s not lost on the players either.
“ I think it'll be awesome to feel that energy in general,” said flanker Liana Mikaele-Tu’u.
”We know that the Boks are gonna bring it right from the get-go, and the crowd will not be silent the whole time. I think for us it's probably just focusing on our basics and also just embracing the culture of South African rugby.”
Iconic location, iconic rugby
The match will kick off at 1pm local time at FNB Stadium, which is usually a football stadium that hosts the Soweto derby match between iconic local clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Ironically, it’s a venue a New Zealand rugby team is yet to lose at, with the All Blacks recording victories over the Springboks in 2010 and 2012.
This is the third time the Black Ferns and Springbok Women have met, with last year’s quarterfinal match up at the World Cup seen as a landmark moment for the South Africans. Despite losing 46-17, a massive first half saw them right in the game with the defending champions. Key to their success was a huge amount of possession to feed their impressive power game, something that Hansen was keen to acknowledge.
"We can't afford to give them the position that they had in that game. We can't afford to be on the back foot because they're so powerful with the ball in hand."
A stark statistic in that their meeting at Sandy Park was the ruck count, which unbelievably favoured the Springbok Women by 144 to 46. That led to the first try of the game and the scores being locked up 10-all at halftime, before the Black Ferns ran away with the result in the second half.
Despite that, Hansen was wary of other threats the home side will pose.
"You can't really expect to know what's coming anywhere at any time, so expect the unexpected. But what we do know is that they're a physical squad and they'll bring a physical game."
Hansen reiterated the same expectation was on them like any other team in black.
"The biggest pressure for us will always be internal. What are we trying to do, how are we working for each other and the performance that we're trying to put on, because of what it means to be a Black Fern."
However, Hansen said the fixture was a special one, given the long and historic rivalry between the countries’ respective men’s side on South African soil will now add a women’s chapter.
"It's amazing for South African women's rugby, and it's a privilege to be a part of that for us. They're gonna be really tough competition, and to do that alongside our brothers in the ABs is gonna be a pretty special moment."
As for a prediction for the crunch third test between the All Blacks and Springboks?
”Obviously backing our boys...I think the rugby that they've been playing is so exciting. What a match up and what an opportunity to be able to see them bring the tour to life again.”
