England and New Zealand put fierce rivalry to one side and unite off the pitch in a bid to grow the women’s game – but the Black Ferns want revenge in hotly-anticipated clash
On Wednesday, Marlie Packer and Kennedy Tukuafu sat at Twickenham (now the Allianz Stadium, if we remember correctly) chatting happily, as if they had long since lost touch.
The pair were cooperative and friendly, and acted as if their conversation was the most normal thing in the world. As they talked, you had to remind yourself that just three days later, they would be knocking seven bells apart at the top level of women’s rugby.
On Saturday, England captain Packer and her opponent Tukuafu (née Simon) from New Zealand will lead their teams into a highly anticipated match.
Their decision to work together earlier this week to promote the game proves that women’s rugby continues to show the way to growth across sporting, commercial and marketing fronts.
It is hard to imagine something like this happening in the men’s game now, although hopefully that will change. This reporter believes that the women’s game remains rugby’s biggest growth opportunity, with an eye to next year’s World Cup, which will be held on English soil.
England, led by Marlie Packer (pictured), and New Zealand united to grow the women’s game
Packer chatted happily with her counterpart Kennedy Simon (also pictured)
The duo pose for a selfie at Twickenham as they unite in a bid to grow women’s rugby
“By bringing the two of us together as captains, we want to grow the women’s game,” Packer said. “That’s what we all want. What we want is to have people in the seats and to bring in fans from all over the world. It’s been really good. We both said to each other that we enjoyed it.
‘On a match day you always say hello to the opposing captain, but because of the rivalry you don’t talk that much. This allowed us to have a bit of a chat.
“I can’t believe Kennedy only got married last Sunday! We’ve talked about how big the funding and resources are. It’s been fun.
“This match will be physical and fast. Technically it is a pre-season friendly, but no Test match between England and New Zealand is.”
Packer’s England are undefeated since their 2022 defeat to the Black Ferns in the last World Cup final, which attracted a then-record crowd for a women’s Test of 42,579.
A similar gate is expected at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday for what will be the first match on the home ground of English rugby since the RFU confirmed its new stadium rights deal. The match will see the world’s runaway No. 1 team take on the reigning world champions.
Both teams will face each other in a highly anticipated clash at Twickenham
England have not lost since their 2022 defeat to the Black Ferns in the last World Cup final
In all likelihood, the two sides will meet again next year at the same venue in the final of the World Cup, with England being the big favourites for that tournament.
The RFU hope to sell their home stadium for the final, a final in which the Black Ferns are realistically the only team that can beat them.
There remains a sense, however, that a loss for the Red Roses at some point before that could be good for them in the long run. The fact that England are now coached by a New Zealander, former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, also adds an edge to the next and future encounters.
In the last meeting between the two teams, England defeated the Black Ferns 33-12 in Auckland to win their inaugural WXV 1 trophy in November last year.
“The rivalry is strong. There is a lot of history between our two teams,” said Tukuatu, whose team warmed up for England by meeting (and hugging) King Charles at Buckingham Palace in a video that went viral on social media.
“It was quite normal for me, but not for the king,” said Black Fern Ayesha Leti-l’iga. “I felt before that he (the king) needed the hug more than I did, but I didn’t see his reaction until I saw the images. It was a very nice and wonderful hug. We were in awe. It was an incredible experience.”
Tukuatu added: ‘Although England and New Zealand have this rivalry, we both want to see the women’s game grow. We can do this kind of media – which I admit is unique – and still be prepared to mess around.
‘As the women’s game gets more and more resources, it gets better and better. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of this era of women’s rugby.
New Zealand warmed up for the match by meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace
The rivalry remains fierce, but both countries worked together to promote the competition
“The women who came before us paved the way for us to now receive things like free gear and travel the world. It’s great to be a part of these races.
“It’s just epic. In previous years the Black Ferns only had one Test a year. England are a great team and they’ve proven that time and time again. But our history is also strong.
“We’ll find a way.”