May 16, 2025 • 6 mins
The Black Ferns are seeking to right the wrongs of 12 months ago.
They’re squaring up against Canada for the Pacific Four series a year after the team rolled them in Christchurch.
Three time Rugby World Cup winner and legend of the women’s game, Kendra Cocksedge joined Lesley Murdoch for a chat about the importance of this match as they build towards this year’s World Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Why don't we go to the best in the business,
world class half back Kendrick cox Edge. I would say
she is the one that got away from cricket, but
let's not talk about that. For Rugby World Cup she
went to now works for New Zealand Rugby as the
women's High Performance Pathway manager and she joined us.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Good morning, Good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
How good is it to see all this depth that
we've got in the women's rugby in this country that
it's been a tough pick for Alan Bunting and his selectors.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah, I think it's really exciting. It's probably the first
time in a very long time that we've had some
really good competition for positions and also obviously got some
young young talent coming through as well. And we saw
obviously through the Opaky competition that there is talent there
and I just love, love the pressure that puts on
the coaches each week from having to having to select
the team.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
How have you got here so quickly? I mean it's
happened within three or four seasons.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, I think, you know, I guess with the change
in terms of Opaky the competition, they're obviously being available
young ones coming through our far apartment Cup, and we're
nagging the opportunities for our younger players coming through and
just you know, we've got we've got obviously players like
Mama Vipolo who's come from another sport, who who's love
Ragby but also come from another sports. So there's you know,
(01:16):
there's just I think it's just awesome to be able
to see that and off the back of the success
of a last World the World Cup, and then it's
the same with the with the Blacks and sevens at
the moment too, write like these people knocking on the door,
ready for it, ready to take the opportunity, and when
it comes, they're obviously taking away both hands.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Does it help that you've got the sevens as well
as a spring board?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah, I think it's important. You know, when you're going
into a pinnicle event, you just want the best players
and the best team that's that's available. You know, some
would argue that you know, seven should stand seven stands things,
but currently we need that cross over down the track.
In a few years time it might not necessarily be
the same, but I think it's great that players want
to play play both it and put their hand up
and then you know, mentioned around the competition for positions.
(01:58):
I think it's only healthy for individual player.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
So to the match itself. Canada, of course, who beat
the Black Funds here in christ Church last year, It
clearly means a lot to the Black Funds to get
one back on them.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah, and obviously been in and around there before, you know,
you kind that's what kind of happened. You get a
little bit extra drive to want to change that narrative.
And Canada is currently number second in the world and
you know one to back for last year, So there's
you know, always an element and you know the focus
will be here and now a lot of people are
talking about World Cup, but there's still some work to
do right now, and I know that they're going to
(02:31):
want to put a good performance out there on the
weekend and obviously try and get that win and obviously
dominate Canada across the park where they can.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Are you hearing anything from the Northern Hemisphere about innovations
or anything else to do with the women's game, given
we're traditionally England have been along with New Zealand the
leaders and women's rugby.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yeah, I think like when I obviously the World Cup
over there is going to be is going to be incredible.
It will probably be the biggest, biggest World Cup there
you know, to date. But I'm saying that like we'll
also you had that every year you'll be World Cup,
so it gets bigger and better. So you know, you
could say that post in this World Cup as well
to say that the next one is going to be
bigger and better. And you know, there's plenty of things
(03:13):
that they're doing over there within their space, but it's
no different, I guess to hear. It might just be
on another level and it's slightly different. Sometimes you obviously
don't want to go down the same same trackers as
other people, but you can learn from from each other
and in what they're doing and obviously go from there.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I think globally the game is catching up in other
countries clearly. I think we saw that last weekend when
our Black fans won against Australia, but it wasn't the
big one that we've had in the past.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yeah, yeah, you're right, and so I think they are.
You know, they are catching on Australia. We almost need
them to as well. I'm across the board, you know,
even for hours competition, we need some good competition obviously
to play there if that's what happens in the future.
And then obviously in the Black Jersey that are so
close to us, it's just over the ditch. So we
need them to continue to grow as I've got a
few seven splies available and put in their their hands up,
(04:00):
and as the Coross board isn't you know Canada last
year obviously island ups in the Blacksmiths. There are some
country that are are now starting to close the gap,
which I think is grateful for women's rug and on
the international states.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
So what do you see as key markers going forward
to enhance the game here?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
First of all, we need, you know, we need a
good fan base, We need people at games, We need
people to come along and support these and these amazing
wahni And then at the same time, you know, extended
some expansion or extension of and Superagua Opa key would
be fantastic. And then I just continued to the pathway
work and obviously around opportunities for these young players coming
through to be able to see a pathway from you know,
(04:41):
from the community rugby all the way through to the
Black Jersey across fifteen and seven.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
And that's money.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yep, that's money. So it's just around, as I say,
RUMs on seats and we're just commercially obviously needing to
get some commercial support around all our all our flights
around opa Q and then obviously continue on and then
the black jerseys as Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
The perennial issue around women's sport per se generally anyway,
But I mean in the meantime, you can see, and
we've been privileged enough during the week to be at
the media conferences, you can see the desire of the passion.
I have to say, the biggest thing that jumps out
for me is the enjoyment that these players have just
by being together.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, and you can say, you know, not everything's true
on and what you see on social media, but what
you see on the blackber and social media channels is real.
You know, these players are exactly who they are on there,
and you can see it from there right. You see
the energy and you know, I popped out. I managed
to pop out and watch them as well for a bit.
In the energy that's coming off the group. The enjoyment factor.
We know that it's always been massive in the Blackburns,
and we know that they need to do that to
(05:41):
be able to perform and know and you can see
it and feel it. It's always such a such a
cleicker of environment to kind of go back.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Into and for yourself on match day. You can sit
back and enjoy it. You can enjoy the watch.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Yeah, I can enjoy the watch. You know, I'm looking
forward to that. You know, sometime times you kind of
get caught up, you know, the opportunity and potentially work
for Sky, but I just want to take this opportunity
to sit back and really wash this team and wash
Plos and see you know, I guess then progress, you know,
I guess post this game and then leading them into
into the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Well, I know you will enjoy it, and so will
all of us that the whole occasion. Can't wait for
it to happen. And you bring on whistle time. Thank
you very much, Kendrick Cox setch enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Years for more from News Talk st B, listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
wherever you go with our podcasts on IR Radio
Why don't we go to the best in the business,
world class half back Kendrick cox Edge. I would say
she is the one that got away from cricket, but
let's not talk about that. For Rugby World Cup she
went to now works for New Zealand Rugby as the
women's High Performance Pathway manager and she joined us.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Good morning, Good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
How good is it to see all this depth that
we've got in the women's rugby in this country that
it's been a tough pick for Alan Bunting and his selectors.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah, I think it's really exciting. It's probably the first
time in a very long time that we've had some
really good competition for positions and also obviously got some
young young talent coming through as well. And we saw
obviously through the Opaky competition that there is talent there
and I just love, love the pressure that puts on
the coaches each week from having to having to select
the team.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
How have you got here so quickly? I mean it's
happened within three or four seasons.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, I think, you know, I guess with the change
in terms of Opaky the competition, they're obviously being available
young ones coming through our far apartment Cup, and we're
nagging the opportunities for our younger players coming through and
just you know, we've got we've got obviously players like
Mama Vipolo who's come from another sport, who who's love
Ragby but also come from another sports. So there's you know,
(01:16):
there's just I think it's just awesome to be able
to see that and off the back of the success
of a last World the World Cup, and then it's
the same with the with the Blacks and sevens at
the moment too, write like these people knocking on the door,
ready for it, ready to take the opportunity, and when
it comes, they're obviously taking away both hands.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Does it help that you've got the sevens as well
as a spring board?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah, I think it's important. You know, when you're going
into a pinnicle event, you just want the best players
and the best team that's that's available. You know, some
would argue that you know, seven should stand seven stands things,
but currently we need that cross over down the track.
In a few years time it might not necessarily be
the same, but I think it's great that players want
to play play both it and put their hand up
and then you know, mentioned around the competition for positions.
(01:58):
I think it's only healthy for individual player.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
So to the match itself. Canada, of course, who beat
the Black Funds here in christ Church last year, It
clearly means a lot to the Black Funds to get
one back on them.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah, and obviously been in and around there before, you know,
you kind that's what kind of happened. You get a
little bit extra drive to want to change that narrative.
And Canada is currently number second in the world and
you know one to back for last year, So there's
you know, always an element and you know the focus
will be here and now a lot of people are
talking about World Cup, but there's still some work to
do right now, and I know that they're going to
(02:31):
want to put a good performance out there on the
weekend and obviously try and get that win and obviously
dominate Canada across the park where they can.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Are you hearing anything from the Northern Hemisphere about innovations
or anything else to do with the women's game, given
we're traditionally England have been along with New Zealand the
leaders and women's rugby.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yeah, I think like when I obviously the World Cup
over there is going to be is going to be incredible.
It will probably be the biggest, biggest World Cup there
you know, to date. But I'm saying that like we'll
also you had that every year you'll be World Cup,
so it gets bigger and better. So you know, you
could say that post in this World Cup as well
to say that the next one is going to be
bigger and better. And you know, there's plenty of things
(03:13):
that they're doing over there within their space, but it's
no different, I guess to hear. It might just be
on another level and it's slightly different. Sometimes you obviously
don't want to go down the same same trackers as
other people, but you can learn from from each other
and in what they're doing and obviously go from there.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I think globally the game is catching up in other
countries clearly. I think we saw that last weekend when
our Black fans won against Australia, but it wasn't the
big one that we've had in the past.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yeah, yeah, you're right, and so I think they are.
You know, they are catching on Australia. We almost need
them to as well. I'm across the board, you know,
even for hours competition, we need some good competition obviously
to play there if that's what happens in the future.
And then obviously in the Black Jersey that are so
close to us, it's just over the ditch. So we
need them to continue to grow as I've got a
few seven splies available and put in their their hands up,
(04:00):
and as the Coross board isn't you know Canada last
year obviously island ups in the Blacksmiths. There are some
country that are are now starting to close the gap,
which I think is grateful for women's rug and on
the international states.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
So what do you see as key markers going forward
to enhance the game here?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
First of all, we need, you know, we need a
good fan base, We need people at games, We need
people to come along and support these and these amazing
wahni And then at the same time, you know, extended
some expansion or extension of and Superagua Opa key would
be fantastic. And then I just continued to the pathway
work and obviously around opportunities for these young players coming
through to be able to see a pathway from you know,
(04:41):
from the community rugby all the way through to the
Black Jersey across fifteen and seven.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
And that's money.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yep, that's money. So it's just around, as I say,
RUMs on seats and we're just commercially obviously needing to
get some commercial support around all our all our flights
around opa Q and then obviously continue on and then
the black jerseys as Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
The perennial issue around women's sport per se generally anyway,
But I mean in the meantime, you can see, and
we've been privileged enough during the week to be at
the media conferences, you can see the desire of the passion.
I have to say, the biggest thing that jumps out
for me is the enjoyment that these players have just
by being together.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, and you can say, you know, not everything's true
on and what you see on social media, but what
you see on the blackber and social media channels is real.
You know, these players are exactly who they are on there,
and you can see it from there right. You see
the energy and you know, I popped out. I managed
to pop out and watch them as well for a bit.
In the energy that's coming off the group. The enjoyment factor.
We know that it's always been massive in the Blackburns,
and we know that they need to do that to
(05:41):
be able to perform and know and you can see
it and feel it. It's always such a such a
cleicker of environment to kind of go back.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Into and for yourself on match day. You can sit
back and enjoy it. You can enjoy the watch.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Yeah, I can enjoy the watch. You know, I'm looking
forward to that. You know, sometime times you kind of
get caught up, you know, the opportunity and potentially work
for Sky, but I just want to take this opportunity
to sit back and really wash this team and wash
Plos and see you know, I guess then progress, you know,
I guess post this game and then leading them into
into the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Well, I know you will enjoy it, and so will
all of us that the whole occasion. Can't wait for
it to happen. And you bring on whistle time. Thank
you very much, Kendrick Cox setch enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Years for more from News Talk st B, listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
wherever you go with our podcasts on IR Radio
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.