New Black Ferns captain Eloise Blackwell is confident a lack of Test rugby in 2020 will not hold New Zealand back when it comes to defending their World Cup title at home next year.
Black Ferns captain Eloise Blackwell says she's been competing against the best in the local competition. Photo: Icon Sportswire
Blackwell will lead a side with nine new faces against a familiar foe over the next fortnight.
In lieu of any confirmed international Tests ahead of the World Cup the Black Ferns are playing two matches against a New Zealand Barbarians side starting in Auckland on Saturday.
The Barbarians are players who did not get selected for the national side following the Possibles and Probables game on 7 November.
While New Zealand's top players are competing amongst themselves their Northern Hemisphere counterparts were playing internationals.
The women's Six Nations teams of England, Italy, Scotland, Wales, France and Ireland had each played up to five Tests before the remaining three matches of the 2020 women's competition were cancelled on Tuesday due to Covid-19.
England had already been crowned champions before the competition was called off.
Six Nations CEO Ben Morel said his organisation explored every possible option before deciding to cancel.
"It is especially disappointing that these cancellations come at a time when there is such positive momentum around the women's game and for the Women's Six Nations in particular," Morel said.
Blackwell was not worried that the Black Ferns had only been tested against local opposition in the Farah Palmer Cup and in the games against the Barbarians.
"We've got the best players in the world here in New Zealand and I think we are definitely on par if not ahead of those girls up in Europe," Blackwell said.
Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore wants international matches. Photo: Photosport
The Barbarians games in Waitakere on Saturday and Nelson the following week were the last locked in opportunity for players wanting to impress before the World Cup.
"This is really important, we get two opportunities to now put our hands up for a black jersey for next year's world cup, so it's pretty massive and in the camp the girls are taking it really seriously so it's another opportunity for us to put ourselves out there and be in contention for the world cup."
Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore said he was "really disappointed" that the Black Ferns had yet to play any internationals while other codes had.
Moore confirmed last week that New Zealand Rugby was working on getting international fixtures for the women in late April or May.