England Faces New Zealand in Warm-Up After 16-Game Streak

England women’s rugby team, undefeated for over a year and boasting a 29-game winning streak in the Six Nations, faces a major challenge from New Zealand. The Red Roses have secured three consecutive Grand Slams and six championships in a row. However, the Black Ferns have been their nemesis in World Cup finals defeating England in all five encounters.

The latest of these defeats occurred at the 2022 World Cup, a loss that spurred England to a 16-game winning streak. Red Roses captain Marlie Packer reflected on the heartache of the 2021 final played in 2022 as the lowest point for her team but noted their growth since then. England sought some redemption by defeating New Zealand in Auckland last year during the WXV tournament.

New Zealand co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu acknowledged England’s strength but expressed surprise at their WXV defeat. England aims to secure back-to-back wins over New Zealand in their warm-up match at the newly named Allianz Stadium before the WXV tournament. The fixture has generated significant excitement with 40,000 tickets sold.

Head coach John Mitchell a former New Zealand player stressed the importance of respecting the haka. Lock Zoe Aldcroft admitted that facing the haka still gives her “goosebumps” and motivates the team. The previous World Cup final ended 34-31, featuring a high-paced game with England’s Lydia Thompson sent off in the 18th minute. England has learned from past encounters and aims to start strongly.

Emily Scarratt returning to form after a year off due to neck surgery will make her 100th start. She will join Sarah Hunter and Rochelle Clark in reaching this milestone.

The line-ups for the upcoming match are as follows:

England: Kildunne; Dow, Scarratt, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Carson, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Feaunati, M. Packer (capt), Matthews.
Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Brock, L. Packer, Harrison, Rowland.

New Zealand: Holmes; Leti-I’iga, Brunt, Demant (co-captain), Vahaakolo; King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Bremner, Roos, Mikaele-Tu’u, Tukuafu (co-captain), Olsen-Baker.
Replacements: Lolohea, Henwood, Rule, Vaipulu, Sae, Hohaia, Du Plessis, Tui.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)