Rugby: Black Ferns - Can sevens and 15's co-exist?

Halfback Kendra Cocksedge in action during training at Grammar Tec for the womens Black Ferns New Zealand rugby team which is heading away to Ireland. Photo / Peter Meecham.

While the focus of the women's rugby world falls on next week's Rugby World Cup in Ireland, the Black Ferns would like to think there is room for sevens and 15 to co-exist for growing the game once that key event is over.

Last week in England there was much talk around the apparently abrupt, but in fact well sign-posted, ending of the fulltime contracts for England's top 15 players at the conclusion of the World Cup, in which they are the defending champions. The RFU will then be putting most of its eggs in the sevens basket, after its top women's team was well out of contention in the 2016-17 World Series, won by the Black Ferns Sevens. There is a big international sevens season looming, with the Commonwealth Games and the RWC Sevens in San Francisco the marquee events.

The Black Ferns, who do not play as much as their talent should allow, certainly compared to England, receive daily allowances when in camp, though four of the 28-strong squad are fully contracted sevens players.

"That's helpful and over the years it's got better," says Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge. "For England, it would be hard finding out that news going into a World Cup, but we don't have to worry about it too much. I guess it would play on the mind of the sevens girls if they were told that was going to happen. We work fulltime, though. It's tough, but we manage to do it."

The 2015 World Rugby women's player of the year, a 10-year Black Fern, works in a women's development role for New Zealand Rugby in Canterbury.

"NZ Rugby are fantastic. I have flexi hours, so if I need to train, I might start earlier in the morning, as long as I'm getting the job done," she said.

Coach Glenn Moore is off contract after the World Cup, but sees room for both the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens in the current landscape.

"When we went to Canada two years ago and only had maybe one of the seven girls available at the time, that opened up the door for 12 new players and we won that tournament. We are building depth here. We've got a close relationship with (Black Ferns Sevens coach) Allan Bunting. We've got a proud history at many pinnacle events and work together to build the broad base of the game," Moore said.

The Black Ferns fly out tonight (Schtevie that is Tues night), but without lock/loose forward Rawinia Everitt, whose back injury may be career-ending. Auckland's Charlene Gubb is her replacement.

"It's been an injury she's had awhile, but it's a lot worse than what we thought.

"It's a tough blow for her and this team as she was one of the leaders. She had one of her best games against England (in June). This will probably open the door for Charmaine Smith to move from lock to six in some games."