New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting has named a strong side as the Black Ferns look to sew up top seeding for the quarter-finals. For the second match running, young stars Jorga Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee move positions, with Miller switching back to open-side flanker and her teammate heading to the wing after shinning at full-back last week. It’s a luxury the Black Ferns seem able to handle.
Still no Aoife Wafer for the Irish, with the reigning Six Nations Player of the Championship not yet deemed fit enough. Good news for the women in green in the form of co-captain Sam Monaghan who does start despite being forced off early on last weekend. Can the Irish repeat last year’s magical WXV1 victory over the Black Ferns?
Kick-off: 14:45 BST, Sunday, 7 September
Venue: Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton and Hove
If you have a ticket already, make sure you read local England international Emily Robinson’s top tips for a great time in her hometown.
How to watch: Head here to get a last-minute ticket.
Or check out our Global Guide to the TV options in your area.
New Zealand team:
New Zealand’s key player: It may sound a little crazy to pick a player who only made her Black Ferns debut in May but Jorga Miller has made such an impact on this team and this RWC that no one will bat an eyelid. The 21-year-old former sevens specialist made three line breaks and broke 11 tackles inside the first 21 minutes v Spain. Not bad.
Ireland team:
Ireland’s key player: Grace Moore was outstanding against Spain, two tries just reward for her all-action performance. That was from number eight but now Moore gets the chance to impress as an open-side flanker.
Recent head-to-heads:
WXV1 2024: IRE 29-27 NZL
What New Zealand said:
New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting:
“We’ve had a few good weeks together now and all our ladies have had good game time and we put a strong team out there that we believe can do the job.
“We’ve got a pretty experienced group now. Most of these ladies have been at a World Cup and Olympics, so they enjoy their crowds and enjoy the attention. Quite a few families are going to be over this week too, so it’s going to be a special moment.”
New Zealand co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu:
“The team’s firing. We’ve all come here understanding the purpose and all striving towards the same goal, so selection’s tough. We all rally around each other. We’ve got the support we need in this environment and we’ve also got our systems back home.
“We like to rejuvenate a lot on this team, because our training’s really tough, so we make sure our bodies are prepared for the next training. We’ve had lots of girls go to the beach, go to the pier. We have a few shoppers in the team, lots of foodies. Everyone goes out and finds nice spots and puts it in the chat, then we all go and have a look.”
What Ireland said:
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand:
“From the very beginning there’s been a plan in place around Aoife (Wafer) and her return. Everything is tracking well – she’s back training well and going strong. She’s desperate to be involved this weekend, and while we could have considered picking her, we decided her best opportunity is to go hard in training next week and see where that takes us.”
Ireland full-back Stacey Flood:
“New Zealand are known for their running game – the girls are great at it, both in sevens and 15s. Its’s about seeing what they’re good at and hoping we can counteract it, but for us the main thing is focusing on ourselves. We want to implement our own style of play, just like we have in the last two games. We will stick to what we are good at and what we know. They are world-class contenders and we respect that, but at the end of the day it comes down to us.”