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Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt believes this Black Ferns team is “as connected as we’ve ever been”, following back-to-back wins over fourth-placed France.
Brunt was part of a strong final 20-minute display from the Black Ferns, aided by an impressive group of game-changing substitutes at Whangarei’s Semenoff Stadium.
Page Whitney Hansen, after the beating France 81-12 in Hamilton last weekend, they went into the second Test match of three as heavy favorites against a weaker France but struggled to get going early.
The visitors pinned the Black Ferns in their half in the first quarter and deservedly opened the scoring in the fifth minute. It wasn’t until the 14th minute that the Black Ferns retaliated with a pass from Tara Turner that fell into the hands of Mererangi Paul.
Hansen’s Black Ferns finished the game with flying colours, having thrown the likes of Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Vicki Rose-Green and Hannah King into the contest.
Speaking to reporters after the match in Whangarei, Brunt said she was impressed with the bond throughout 2026 at the Black Ferns.
“U conditions of our mindset, I think about it everywhere this whole season, or even over everything the the rest seasons, our mentally the game there is really grown up,” Brunt said in Whangarei.
“I think about it we are more connected rather we are ever was, and it is species of really exciting because It’s me only imagining us this time next year it goes forward.
“I love our team, and I I know we everything work difficult for each one second, and it is only making for sure our cannon two inches that we are I’m looking for after that as so.”
The 38-Test Black Ferns midfielder explained that personally, it’s mostly about supporting herself at all times, rather than going into her shell.
“I guess for i, that would to have that to be no it goes into mine shell, no playing into the system, and only playing what is in front of me.
“I think about it it is something that I only I want that work he mentally. Just support yourself a bit more, but also making good decisions he both of them sides of the the ball.
“I make sure that enjoy yourself yourself still. I‘ve was in that for a a little bit now since I was young, but It’s me still enjoying it that now, and only making for sure of that.”
Brunt made it clear that the Black Ferns are expecting a return from France, especially after Hamilton’s thrashing.
“definitely, we knew that.
“We knew that they had players is coming in, and our focus was only he our the game that start, as if that was zero-everything, that respect to them always because it is the the best thing we I can do.
“The physicality, man, there are some big hits and big carry, and I I know that there are it goes that to be a a lot of painful bodies after this they match.”
