Monalisa Codling Interview | Preview: Black Ferns Historical Match in South Africa

0:00Sanderson, prostate effects is a high-string phytonutrion complex and just 28.99 at chemist warehouse. Always read the label and take his directed, if you have symptom, see your health care professional. Supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet, real vitamins limited Auckland. This will get you fired up as well 19 away from five, Millsian guy on Sport Nation Meyer Wilson. In for Millsie today and we've been chatting a bit of all blacks. Now it's time to touch on the black ferns who kick off their game against South Africa. Same stadium obviously, First National Bank Stadium in Johannesburg 11.30pm they are and with us now is former black fern Mona Lisa coddling Mona Lisa. Thank you very much for giving up your time. We very much appreciate it. It's a historic moment for women's rugby, a first black ferns test over in the republic. How significant do you think it is for the black ferns and the women's game to be playing in the republic for the first time? I think to be actually playing in a nation that is just absolutely obsessed with rugby and with the rich history that both countries have had in the men's game.

1:11I think it's a massive day and I'm really pleased and excited for it to happen. Mona Meyer here, thank you for joining us. For me, is this test bigger than just a game? Is this bigger for World Rugby, for Women's Rugby? I saw a social media post early in the week and seeing the two women seems breaking bread. How is this for the World World Women's game? I think it's massive. It's on the back of a massive tournament last year with England winning in England. I just think that the women's game, the women's product, there's an appetite for it in those big countries that have a lot of population as well. Unfortunately New Zealand, we don't have as many people to go usually in support unlike safe South African and in Europe. Again, the nations, like I have only played South Africa once and that was in 2010 and honestly even that build up was like being victims of women's rugby and that was massive for both countries.

2:22It was for the first game for both of us for that tournament as well. They did a bit of a standoff thing and they wouldn't talk to us until afterwards and they really take it seriously and it's massive for them and I think it's just going to be a treat for it all. We know the men obviously play big ball running game, get very physical. Is it the same with their women? What kind of game will the South African women bring to this fixture? Absolutely. I remember big hitters and they've got a different body shape as well so they've got the big girls but those big girls can move their hips can move. They've got just their heart as well. Our girls, our front pack are definitely going to have to be on their A game because this is going to be a test match that they're not going to come. It's not going to be an easy one up front at all. I think it's going to take a bit of time and especially with that crowd that's going to be there. I'm sure there's going to be way more, you know, it's a capacity but there'll be a lot of fans wanting to cheer their women on as well.

3:29Like you said the last time you played South Africa was in 2010, when you look at where South African women's rugby is now compared to when you were playing, have they been able to close that gap? I think a lot of it's to do with rugby knowledge as well and just playing the game. When we had played them I think that only been sort of in the previous World Cup, we didn't actually play them that tournament but they were in and around. They were relatively new. They've been playing a lot of games. I know Anna Riches. She's gone over and played with the UK Barbarians. They've had quite a few games as Cura and Roses already in South Africa. The British have already actually been in South Africa and Anna had come back from there saying it's just unreal the energy and just the type of play. They live, breathe it, they have that running game, they have those big girls that are going to be used.

4:35So I think we're in for a ding-dong battle, you know, to use an old phrase. We obviously see a change for the Black Furns. Rua Hay Demanto who has been captain for a long time and one of the leaders of that team is sitting on the bench for this one and Hannah King comes in at first five. I guess what do you make of that change and how important is it to build that depth at that level in that position in particular? We know how good Rua Hay is obviously but they need to keep growing what's coming through behind her. Oh, absolutely. They've been looking forward to next year's, you know, the next couple of years and blooding these young ladies through it. On the bench there's not a whole lot of experience in terms of international. So, you know, that would be sort of a bit of a relief when you know that you actually do use, you know, they're not technically subs anymore. They will get game time but as I said, our forward pack are going to be needing to go forward and I think the bigger, probably the bigger story is that, you know, like we need that Kipo.

5:39It's great having Leana McKeele who will come in there, bit of a reshuffle around there but that go forward must be, must help the nine, our nine and ten. So, keeping the team relatively the same, I think it's the great, you know, Whitney's in a great job there and the girls are definitely putting their hands up. I can't wait for the King. What a moment for her. It's going to be bonkers, but you know, she's, she's not shy of, she's, you know, three years, two, three years on that the circuit now. So, she needs to get that energy, get that blood and, you know, we're in a really good position at the moment. I thought the girls played, I should say, the women played really amazing. And I think it gets Australia as well. So, I hope it continues and it just, there would have been a lot of press around Ruahei, but you know, they, when you look at video analysis is less on Hannah Kanga. She just adds a different flavour, doesn't she? She likes to run the ball and that just that combination, I guess, with Maya to give them a good setting as well.

6:46You know, when I was looking through some of the articles, one in particular for R&Z, Whitney Hanson was quoted to say, issues trying to do the analysis on the South African team. They don't necessarily have too much structure. Is that quite, I guess, traditional for a South African team? Yes, they start off, you know, the numbers on that one to 15, but you know, the swords play with bags, the backs play with the boards, they sort of play old school rugby. But that has worked for them. They've got a lot of nature, they do that natural sort of play, I guess, like what we would call there, so the island style play. And that's, I guess, where the difference is going to be, the threats come from sort of all over the place, and they're not small women. They might not be the tallest, but they're definitely solid and strong. So the threats will come from everywhere. There's not a lot of video, so everyone has to be able to air game and get really get ready to get hurt.

7:49Get ready to get hurt. I love that Mona Lisa. Great to catch up with you again. Thank you so much for your time. We look forward to the historic taste and joy. I'm slightly go the black fans. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. We go. We go. We go. Ask your prescriber about We GoVie, some Maglatide Injection 2.4 milligrams, a GLP one. Call 1-8334 We GoVie or visit We GoVie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about We GoVie. Why wait? We go. We go. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. No two football players are exactly alike, and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gifts to know you so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.