Women’s Rugby World Cup: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Black Ferns triumph

Name: "Legends" - PM on Black Ferns Rugby World Cup dominance
Uploaded: 2022-11-13T01:00:27+13:00
Description: The Prime Minister was mid-air on her way to the East Asia Summit in Cambodia at kick-off, but was able to watch the last 20 minutes after landing in Phnom Penh. Video / Claire Trevett

By Cherie Howie

Reporter·NZ Herald·

12 Nov, 2022 09:02 AM2 mins to read

The Prime Minister was mid-air on her way to the East Asia Summit in Cambodia at kick-off, but was able to watch the last 20 minutes after landing in Phnom Penh. Video / Claire Trevett

The Rugby World Cup champion Black Ferns are “legends” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said, after the side’s nail-biting sixth title win against England at Eden Park tonight.

The Prime Minister had to be content with updates from the crew of the New Zealand Defence Force plane taking her to the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, but was able to watch the last 20 minutes after landing in Phnom Penh.

“When we boarded the NZDF plane to head to the East Asia Summit this afternoon, I asked the crew whether they were expecting any updates on the Black Ferns game while we were mid air”, she wrote on Instagram.

“Not only did they update us on the score, we got a run down on injuries. We landed with enough time to catch the closing 20mins…and I’m so glad we did. There are no words for that game, just like there’s almost no words for the Black Ferns.

“But for now, I’m going to go with ‘legends.’”

Photos posted on Instagram by Ardern showed her watching the last quarter on her phone while travelling in a vehicle, one hand clasped to the side of her face.

By the time the Black Ferns won with a final score of 34-31 the PM was inside a building, holding her phone in one hand and punching the air with the other as people crowded around the tiny phone screen and perplexed locals watched from a distance.

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A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern)

Earlier, the PM had shared updates on the game to officials and journalists over the PA system, including Portia Woodman’s concussion and the score at various points throughout the game, a reporter on board said.

“And reprimanded someone who she saw give a fist pump when she said England was ahead. It turned out the poor soul had been confused and thought NZ was ahead.”

Many others also shared on social media their joy at the final result, including the PM’s longtime Covid-19 daily updates sidekick, former health chief Ashley Bloomfield.

“Omg”, Bloomfield tweeted.

“That is the best game of rugby I’ve watched in a long time. Outstanding!!”