Head coach Craig Richards believes England can make history with a first ever win over New Zealand to book what would be a “deserved” place in the women’s World Cup final.
The nation is rallying behind the underdogs to maintain their upward momentum on a huge night in York, with the Kiwi Ferns providing the sizable obstacle between England and that elusive appearance in a World Cup final. Great Britain reached the inaugural final in 2000, but England have only managed to reach the last four in the tournaments since.
“There is a history of us getting to the semi-finals and not quite kicking on to the next level but for me this is a first and I’m really confident in the group we have got,” says Richards ahead of the semi-final double-header in York.
Australia face Papua New Guinea first, then it’s England’s turn.
“We are peaking at the right time. It has never been about winning this game, it is about taking out the tournament. We are really determined to do that,” he adds.
England have powered impressively through their group with wins over Brazil, Canada and PNG, conceding just a single try per game. New Zealand opened up in similar style against France and Cook Islands before defeat to the Aussies.
England came undone against the Kiwis Ferns in the last four of the 2017 tournament, but Richards is adamant that his side have given themselves the best possible chance this time of breaking new ground with an historic win.
“We have spent four years dreaming about getting to the final and winning it. To date everything is going to plan so we don’t talk about the pressure, we talk about the next hurdle and how to get over it.
“We have got here through hard work, we have had some really tough games and produced some really good football. But it is about getting to that next stage, a semi-final isn’t good enough for us, we have come here to win the World Cup and nothing less than that will do.”
England’s Women have already had a huge breakthrough, with encouraging crowds watching their progress through the group and the rapid development of the Women’s Super League evident in enhanced performance levels through the squad.
That is not something lost on Richards, who has been desperate for the sport so maximise its big moment on the biggest stage
“A home World Cup feels magical, and it would make winning it even more special.
“The 1.2 million that watched our last game on the BBC is mind-blowing and I hope it included loads of young girls who are inspired to take up the sport.
“A big part of what we are trying to do is win the World Cup but then inspire the next level of girls to come and take up this fantastic sport.
“There is a real determination. Hopefully we come away with what we feel we deserve.”
New Zealand boast a powerful pack of stars from Australia’s NRLW, but Richards believes they will underestimate his own forwards and playmakers at their peril.
“The New Zealand pack are big and physical and are going to take some handling.
“There will be a big battle down the middle. But we have a great pack and our halves are as good as any in the world and this is a day to prove that.
“The form New Zealand have shown has been fantastic. For us it is a big, exciting game and one that we go into really confident based on what we have done.”
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