Black Ferns veteran Kelly Brazier is set to return to World Cup competition mentally stronger than ever before.
Brazier would start as first five-eighth for the first time in nearly four years, with co-captain Ruahei Demant on the bench along with another top player, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
“It's probably the best it's ever been," she said. "Having the injuries, missing out on World Cups and sort of now being back. I have a greater appreciation for the game. And with my two boys now, like there's more to life than rugby,” the 35-year-old told 1News ahead of the world champions’ first match against Spain at 4.30am Monday (NZ time).
“I'm definitely a competitive person and like winning and obviously here to win a World Cup, but I know if I'm sort of doing everything I can off the field and then just as well as on it, then hopefully the performance will take care of itself.”
This would be Brazier’s fourth Rugby World Cup, having competed in 2010, 2014 and 2017 before not making the 2021 team.
When asked if she felt pressure to perform in the starting line-up, Brazier replied, “No”.
“That's probably, to be honest, one thing that coming into this World Cup is different for me.
“In the past I've probably put a lot of pressure on myself and I’ve won World Cups, I’ve lost World Cups, I’ve missed out on World Cups so to just be here now amongst this group, you can just feel it, like the 32, we're doing everything we can for the team, whether you're on the field or off it."
She said her job was to lead the team in their opening match and “hopefully set up our wingers out wide and watch them cross over that line”.
Brazier said with the opportunity she’d been given to compete at the highest level again, the motivation came easily.
“It's unreal, to be honest. I didn't think I'd be here. So to get on the plane with the girls and touch foot now over here in the UK and be a couple of days out from our first game, I think it's definitely started to kick in, but it's something I'm excited about, and looking forward to getting out there with the group this weekend.”
She said the team were not taking opponents Spain lightly, and wanted to see the whole squad build confidence from the match.
Brazier was 18 when she debuted as a Black Fern and would play alongside winger Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who would also be making her World Cup debut at 18, having returned to the team from injury.
Head Coach Allan Bunting said about Sorensen-McGee: “She played it on the wing against our Black Ferns fifteen. She was probably the player that matched that game. We're looking for a bit of versatility too. It's about her getting up there and getting her game going and really just getting her feet on the ground.”
On co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu’s absence, Bunting said she was returning from injury and he wanted to “give her the best chance” to get good preparation in before she returned to the game.
Alana Bremner was named co-captain in the number 4 jersey against Spain in her 30th test match.
Bremner and her sister, Chelsea, would both start as locks, a first for them.
“It's so exciting, it's such a privilege. We've previously been a five-six combo with her moving into the locks this year or last year,” Chelsea Bremner said.
“Our parents are actually coming over this week, so yeah, they'll be there at the game, which is very special.”
Spain might not be considered tough competition, but for coach Allan Bunting, it was a chance to get everyone final-ready.
Top players Ruahei Demant and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe were on the bench, allowing others to build confidence.
"We've learnt from last year, you've got to be strong across the board, you've got to get a set piece, a kicking game, the attack, you can't pull the reins off any area. We want to be strong across the board," Bunting said.
Alana Bremmer said: "You know, first game in a wee while, so you could expect, you know, a little bit of rust to come out, but I think that's, yeah, we're just looking to start the tournament well with excitement, with energy."
Full Black Ferns squad v Spain
1. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (7 tests)
2. Vici-Rose Green (2)
3. Amy Rule (30)
4. Alana Bremner (29) – Co-captain
5. Chelsea Bremner (22)
6. Layla Sae (14)
7. Jorja Miller (2)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (29)
9. Maia Joseph (11)
10. Kelly Brazier (43)
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26)
12. Theresa Setefano (19)
13. Amy du Plessis (21)
14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (3)
15. Renee Holmes (23)
Bench:
16. Georgia Ponsonby (31)
17. Chryss Viliko (13)
18. Tanya Kalounivale (22)
19. Laura Bayfield (1)
20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (12)
21. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (2)
22. Ruahei Demant (45) – Co-captain
23. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (27)
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