Women’s Rugby World Cup: Dame Jacinda Ardern pays surprise visit to Black Ferns ahead of quarter-final

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has paid the Black Ferns a special visit as they get ready for their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against South Africa.

Ardern made a special appearance in the defending world champions’ changing sheds after their statement 40-0 victory over Ireland in Brighton, England.

The 45-year-old could be seen making her way around the room, hugging and talking to all the players.

“Always been an auntie Cindy fan, and especially cool seeing her after the last World Cup in the Beehive,” star Black Ferns winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe said.

“But I felt like I was going to crush her if I hugged her too hard.”

Ardern, who was Prime Minister at the time, was flying to Cambodia while the Black Ferns were playing in the 2022 Rugby World Cup final against England. She landed with about 20 minutes left to play.

She said for her it was “a game of three parts” – the first on a plane, then in a motorcade and then a hotel lobby.

Speaking to reporters in Cambodia, she said the Air Force had been passing on game updates sent through their communication system, which she read over a loudspeaker to the rest of the plane.

She paid tribute to the team after their 34-31 triumph, calling them “legends”.

“Rugby has always been a national sport, but the Black Ferns made it everyone’s game. You can’t put a price on that. They’re amazing.”

Three comprehensive wins in pool games against Spain, Japan and Ireland at this year’s World Cup saw New Zealand top their group and book a quarter-final spot against South Africa.

South Africa finished runners-up in their pool, recording two wins over Italy and Brazil, and a loss to France.

A Black Ferns win would likely see them face Canada in a semifinal.