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France’s Caroline Drouin and Black Fern Ruahei Demant will be game makers during the semi-finals
One side is the best defensive team in the world, the other is fast and attacking. So who will win this epic Rugby World Cup semi final at Eden Park? Stuff’s Joseph Pearson and Paul Cully break down all the key matchups in the blockbuster semi and predict who will book a place in the final.
Sarah Hirini vs Gaelle Hermet
As always dominating the breakdown is key in deciding the outcome of a match and so this back-row battle which will probably be where the game is won and lost, according to Stuff’s Rugby World Cup reporter Joseph Pearson
Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith said Hirini, the openside flanker who has won everything in the game in both 7s and 15s, has been “outstanding” in this tournament after transitioning from 7s two months ago.
She faces a tough opponent in French captain and blindside Gaelle Hermet, who dominated the two Test wins over the Black Ferns on last year’s end-of-season tour.
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Sarah Hirini.
Madoussou Fall v Chelsea Bremner
This clash is between two of the number of “stand-out, ball carrying locks” in the tournament, Stuff rugby reporter Paul Cully says.
Fall is a key member of the French group and played 80 minutes in the group stage loss against England, which was “quite unusual” for the French side which normally likes to rotate their entire tight five.
“If the Black Ferns want to stop the French they have to stop her,” Cully said.
On the other side, Bremner is the glue of the New Zealand pack and her “experience will be vital”, Cully said.
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Madoussou Fall of France played 80 minutes against England.
Ruahei Demant vs Caroline Drouin
The battle of the 10s is a clash of styles with Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant go up against a “mercurial, classic French playmaker” in Caroline Drouin, Pearson says.
The Black Ferns coach says Drouin has the best attacking kicking game in the tournament but she also loves to take the defence on with ball in hand.
Demant is a prolific offloader who has set the New Zealand backline alight through the tournament but will have to kick well if the home side are to win the territorial battle and overcome the French, Pearson says.
Joanna Grisez v Portia Woodman
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Portia Woodman.
Out wide, winger Joanna Grisez is one of the main French threats on the counter and combines well with fullback Emilie Bouldard.
She will ask questions on defence of Black Ferns superstar Portia Woodman, who has flexed her defensive prowess this tournament with some telling hits, Cully says.
With the ball in hand, Woodman “can go around you or she can go over the top” like few have ever been able to do in the sport.
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The result:
“I think the Black Ferns will have to play a different style, I don’t think they’re going to be able to consistently get the quick ball that they want,” Cully said.
The Black Ferns have acknowledged that by shuffling their back three and having Renee Holmes at fullback, Cully said.
Cully is predicting a win by the home side, who will overcome some real pressure moments on Saturday.
The French will win by under 7, according to Pearson. Though he wants the Black Ferns to win so the tournament gets a dream final.
