Only, in the strictest, non-romantic sense possible, that doesn\u2019t matter. This is not do-or-die. The punishment for losing is a likely date with France, a side Ireland do not fear after running them reasonably close in the Six Nations. <\/p>\n
Alternatively, victory against the Black Ferns would likely see Ireland face South Africa in the last eight. They would then be comfortable favourites to secure a semi-final berth. Has Irish rugby every stared into a Kiwi contest with both so much and yet so little simultaneously on the line? <\/p>\n
Irish rugby suffers from a mental hang-up with the black jersey. Mercifully, the word \u201caura\u201d has been absent from the discourse this week. Still, the insecurity which stems largely from the men\u2019s game has drifted into the women\u2019s. Unfairly, perhaps, players and coaches alike have been asked to pull at the psychological threads. <\/p>\n
On paper, why should they? Ireland have played New Zealand three times in women\u2019s rugby. On two occasions, they have won. The most recent of those was a memorable WXV1 victory<\/a> in Vancouver last year. Echoes of the 2014 World Cup victory also ring true. Why should this Ireland side have a Kiwi obsession?<\/p>\n Seven players from the starting side that beat New Zealand last year survive to Sunday. Injuries and retirements largely explain the changes. Eimear Considine is no longer involved. Dorothy Wall and Aoife Wafer remain sidelined. As does Enya Breen, the versatile centre\/outhalf missing out through a niggle. Her absence leaves Ireland light on outhalf cover should anything happen to Dannah O\u2019Brien. <\/p>\n Fiona Tuite appears an integral part of this Irish side given her lineout calling. That she misses out in favour of Grace Moore suggests another injury issue. Moore is a stellar athlete, but even with her in tow, Ireland\u2019s lineout suffers. Alex Codling, the coach with responsibility for that area, probably had a busy week. <\/p>\n The Wafer question is intriguing. On Thursday, it was reported in these pages that she was unlikely to feature despite assertions from the Ireland camp that she was \u201cbursting\u201d to go. When her omission was confirmed on Friday, head coach Scott Bemand suggested that she could have lined out if Sunday was an all-or-nothing match. In doing so, he further underlined the unusual circumstances surround this game. <\/p>\n Questions can rightly be asked about the wisdom of using a squad place on a player who won\u2019t feature in any of Ireland\u2019s three pool games. Wafer has become a quarter-final specialist. If she features next week and sends Ireland to a semi-final, all power to Bemand and co. <\/p>\n If not, what then? The victor writes the narrative. That Wafer was picked to travel despite her physical limitations is both an indicator of her talent and a lack of faith in the fit backrows behind her. Post-tournament analysis will focus on the result of Bemand\u2019s gamble. It is a question for another day.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at Aoife\u2019s eyes, she\u2019s ready to go now,\u201d said Bemand on Friday. \u201cShe\u2019s done a great job in her rehab. With Aoife, she\u2019s an incredibly committed individual. We won\u2019t see any ring-rust. She\u2019ll be ready to go. We\u2019re really confident.<\/p>\n![\"Ireland's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/U6RH7AEMRJWVMUCUEJVSXIJJNY.jpg\")
Ireland’s Fiona Tuite misses out against New Zealand, with Grace Moore filling in. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1739272379918-c03b2529-1643-4e02-ab77-51ef2d1ea4b6.jpeg\"\/)
Ireland set up New Zealand showdown<\/p>\n![\"Ireland's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/YPAIB3WHS7YCG7V5GXU2U76MGQ.jpg\")
Ireland’s Aoife Wafer in training. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n