No time to sulk.
That's the reaction from the Black Ferns following their record loss to England in the first Test.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The two sides meet again in Northampton this weekend with the New Zealanders still hurting from the 43-12 hiding in Exeter.
In their first Test match in two years, the Black Ferns couldn't match an England side who had played 14 internationals since the New Zealanders last took the field.
"The physicality and the pace of the game," were two of the issues the Black Ferns faced according to midfielder Chelsea Alley.
The Black Ferns had survived the last two years on Farah Palmer Cup domestic rugby, while England, who have some of the most experienced players in the game, have still managed to play regular internationals.
"I'd forgotten what (Test rugby) was like, the jump up was tough, but we've done a deep dive into the review and we'll be better off for it," said Alley.
The first match in Exeter also marked the Black Ferns' 100th Test and nine debutantes got game time at a packed out Sandy Park.
Assistant coach Wesley Clark feels the players have reacted well to the first Test loss.
"Obviously we're hurting, we don't lose often so there's certainly pain in the group, but we have a week to turn things around and we don't want to waste any of those days sulking.
"Our review was brutal, as it needs to be, we've got to be able to hold each other accountable and while there's been talk about debutantes and a lack of games, that's no excuse, at the end of the day we're Black Ferns and we're very aware of that responsibility."
Veteran's Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier were unavailable for the first Test and Clarke says they're still working with them and some other players who have bumps and bruises.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand had nine debutantes in the first Test squad and changes are expected for the Northampton clash.
"We've always intended to change some personnel as we go through these four games to give players international experience," said Clarke.
Clarke admits their set pieces were disappointing and they'll be working on those aspects of the game this week.
Alley says after a very honest review they're looking forward to making amends this weekend.
"A lot of the things we fell short in are easy fixes, in a test match it's the little moments and we didn't always take those little moments, but we feel now we've got that experience and won't be making those same mistakes.
"As a senior player it's been a massive 48 hours of reflection and a lot of honest conversations, so we have to stay connected and stay strong as a team and we all rise another level.
"We have to put mana back in that jersey.
"There's only one way to get better at Test rugby and that's to play Test rugby.
After the second Test against England the Black Ferns play two Tests in France.
New Zealand hosts the women's Rugby World Cup in 2022.
