By Lucy Thomson in London
The Black Ferns are keen to make a statement against France in the bronze medal match. Photo: Matthew Impey / www.photosport.nz
Black Ferns v France
Kick-off: 11:30pm Saturday 27 September
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Black Ferns may have fallen short of defending their Rugby World Cup crown, but motivation is the least of their concerns ahead of Saturday's bronze medal match against France at Twickenham.
After last weekend's heartbreaking 34-17 semi-final defeat to Canada, New Zealand are determined to finish their campaign on a high - and deny France a place on the podium.
Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting said his players are embracing the opportunity.
"We've got everything to play for. It's a real opportunity to go out there and show what these ladies can do," Bunting said.
Asked if the players were still hurting after the loss to Canada, Bunting said sport could break hearts when all the energy and sacrifices that players and management made didn't work out.
"But the great thing about sport is that is not who these ladies are. It's what we love to do, but our identity is much different than that," he said.
"Rugby is a place where we can inspire a lot of people and we get another opportunity to do that this weekend."
But silverware, in the form of a bronze medal, is not the only thing on the line. A win would see New Zealand retain third spot in the World Rugby rankings, while defeat would drop them to fourth behind France - the lowest-ever position for the women's national side.
Co-captain Ruahei Demant said the disappointment of the semi-final loss is driving the group forward.
"The performance that we put out [last weekend] is motivation enough," Demant said.
Teammate Risealeaana Pouri-Lane stressed the importance of playing for pride and for the supporters who have backed them throughout the tournament.
"We wanted to come home with the gold, but we have the opportunity to show up this weekend - not just for ourselves but for the nation as well, and for the jersey."
There are two changes to the starting side for the bronze medal match, with flanker Jorja Miller and lock Laura Bayfield returning to the side after missing the semi-final because of injuries the team refused to divulge.
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, who took Miller's place for the Canada match, drops out of the 23, while there are changes on the bench, with winger Katelyn Vahaakolo, hooker Vici-Rose Green and prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu included.
The Black Ferns last met France in WXV 1 last year in Vancouver, where they claimed a convincing 39-14 win. Their two encounters before that were decided by just a single point: a 25-24 Black Ferns victory in the 2022 World Cup semi-final, and an 18-17 win to France during WXV 1 in Wellington in 2023.
The bronze medal match kicks off at 11.30pm on Saturday (NZT).
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