Black Ferns wing Katelyn Vaha'akolo. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND
The Black Ferns kick off their journey towards the 2025 World Cup this weekend and they will quickly have to find their feet.
Saturday night's match against Australia in Newcastle is the Black Ferns first test of the year and doubles as the opening Pacific Four and O'Reilly Cup game.
The Black Ferns lost to Canada in 2024. Photo: PhotoSport / John Davidson
The Black Ferns fell to a historic 22-19 defeat to Canada in Christchurch last year as New Zealand failed to retain the Pacific Four title and gave up their World No.2 ranking to the visitors.
That result combined with two defeats to England and a first ever loss to Ireland in 2024 means New Zealand enter this season with plenty of questions around their ability to defend their World Cup title in England later this year.
They Black Ferns have just four tests scheduled between now and the start of the World Cup in August, meaning there's not a lot of time for them to find the answers they're looking for.
Prop Amy Rule said they're determined to prove they're genuine contenders by reclaiming the Pacific Four crown.
"Pac Four is an exciting time because it gives us an opportunity to see where we are at. Obviously the World Cup is right around the corner so we haven't got a lot of opportunities.
"So Pac Four is cool to try some combinations, get after it, but also keep some tricks up our sleeves."
The Black Ferns are heavy favourites to start their year with a win.
Rule knows anything less than victory over Australia will be considered a failure, but she believes the Wallaroos are a side on the rise.
"They're going to bring a lot of flair. They have some individuals that can really light it up when the opportunity is there, so we have to be clinical, especially around our goal line and at set piece."
Tighthead prop Amy Rule. Photo: Paul Yates / www.photosport.nz
The Wallaroos have never beaten the Black Ferns but halfback Layne Morgan believes they can cause an upset in her home town.
"Every time we come closer and closer to beating them and I think being in Newcastle, I'm backing my girls and we're definitely going to beat New Zealand this weekend.
"And if not it goes to show how much we're growing because we're going to bring a better product than what we have been."
The Black Ferns will also need to bring a better product in 2025 if they're to challenge the likes of World No.1 England and the players have been warned that current form, not past performances, will earn them spots at the World Cup.
There are several debutantes in the Black Ferns squad and assistant coach Riki Flutey said no one is guaranteed a place in the side.
"There's a number of stars coming through and they're all competing for spots.
"The players that have been here for a few seasons now, they're not complacent because they know that they've got lots of competition to cement a spot."
One of the uncapped players will make her debut this weekend with the Blues teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee named to start at fullback.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Photo: Photosport
Black Ferns coach Alan Bunting believes the 18-year-old is a star in the making.
"She has flair, she's instinctive. She had an awesome Super Rugby Aupiki season and for her to go and represent her family and her country for the first time is a special moment.
"We're backing her and behind her and we hope she enjoys the moment."
A win would make that moment all the more enjoyable for Sorensen-McGee and a Black Ferns side seeking to kick off their World Cup year with a bang.
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