Commonwealth Games: Black Ferns aim to end Aussie dominance

Australia captain Sharni Williams and New Zealand captain Sarah Goss. Photo / Getty Images

All roads lead to Australia for the Black Ferns sevens team, and not just because their first appearance at the Commonwealth Games comes on the Gold Coast next month.

From their triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics to their dominant performance in this year's two World Series tournaments, Australia have set the recent standard in women's sevens.

Australia's 31-0 shutout of the Black Ferns in the Sydney final in late January capped a tournament where they emerged without conceding a point, confirming their favouritism for Commonwealth Games gold. Sydney was the last tournament before the Games, with the Black Ferns turning to inter-squad trial matches in preparation for their maiden dig at this event.

Second place is not something New Zealand rugby is accustomed to. The Black Ferns clinched last year's World Series title with victory over Australia in the final in France, giving them four tournament crowns from five events. It was also their fourth overall title since the series began in 2012.

But the tables have turned, with the Olympic final and recent Sydney drubbing sticking firmly in the memory. Australia also claimed the opening leg of this year's World Series in Dubai, where the Black Ferns finished fifth.

Allan Bunting's side, led by captain Sarah Goss, will pursue gold at these Games. If results go to form, that means getting through the hosts to go one better than Rio.

"We have an intense rivalry like other Australian and New Zealand teams," Goss said. "I know going into Com Games, they're going to have that advantage of beating us in Sydney and playing at home, but the beauty of sevens is you don't know what's going to happen in those 14 minutes. We've watched that Sydney game a lot of times to find ways of how we're going to beat them, but it's not just about them, we've got to get through Canada first.

"We were very disappointed to lose that Olympic final, especially against Australia. We let ourselves down but then when you look at it from an Olympics point of view, we did bloody well to bring home a silver medal for our country. When you see people going there for their fifth time having not won a medal, it puts it in perspective."

Bunting is confident that lessons have been absorbed from Sydney, where Australia modified their game plan to ditch the defensive sweeper in favour of applying consuming line-speed pressure.

Unlike the build-up to Sydney, where New Zealand players returned to their provinces and Bunting had only a week-and-a-half with the team, this time, the extended squad spent a week on the Sunshine Coast adjusting to the heat and humidity they will encounter. Nine of the 12-strong Games squad return from the Olympics. Among that experienced core, there will be a sense of unfinished business.

"I don't think anything can match the Olympics but Com Games is the second biggest opportunity for our players to really inspire women's rugby and showcase what they can do," Bunting said. "They're really looking forward to the challenge."

The Black Ferns meet South Africa, Kenya and Olympic bronze medallists Canada in pool play, with the top two progressing to the semifinals, where a large Kiwi presence is expected in the stands.

"Until we get there, it's going to be the unknown," Goss said. "Because it's so close to New Zealand, I know a lot of families have booked flights, accommodation and tickets, so I'm sure we'll have a lot of support there."

Every aspect helps in the quest to take down the pace-setting Australians.