Risi Pouri-Lane playing for the Black Ferns Sevens. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The Black Ferns are expected to open their World Cup title defence with a win, though they're taking nothing for granted.
They face world no 13 ranked Spain in York, England on Monday morning (NZT) and go into the match as heavy favourites.
Black Ferns halfback, Olympic Sevens gold medallist Risi Pouri-Lane, spent time with the Spanish side during the World Cup opening ceremony. She believes Spain are driven by a higher purpose and won't be intimidated.
"I think one key word that comes to mind immediately is passion. Passion and heart. Their coach and their captain spoke and for them, it's more than rugby. It's more than a World Cup," Pouri-Lane said.
"They're looking to inspire another generation of young girls and boys back home in Spain and show them what's possible. So you can expect a lot of passion and that they'll never give up."
Pouri-Lane has played Spain on the World Sevens circuit and she believes they're one of the fastest developing nations in 15s.
"They've got a lot of talent and I think it just shows the growth that there has been in women's rugby over the years and it's only going to increase.
"You look at the the sales that have happened for this opening match, England against the United States (Sat morning NZT), I think it was 40,000 tickets already sold. I just saw a post that said that the final at Twickenham is sold out. That to me is just crazy. It goes to show how far and how much the women's game is growing,
"It's just such an overwhelming experience to be able to be here and to see all the support that's going into women's rugby and know that I'm a part of it."
Being a regular in the Black Ferns Sevens team, Pouri-Lane hadn't played 15s for almost five years before being selected for New Zealand and playing against the US during the Pacific Four tournament earlier this season.
"It had definitely been a few years since my last 15s game. I think the last time I played 15s would have been 2020.
"Coming into the 15s environment, it was definitely a little bit overwhelming with the amount of detail. It's a completely different game.
"But the girls were so welcoming and the other halfbacks in camp, they would help me with whatever I needed. If I needed clarity with set moves etc. I was very fortunate to have them and I asked a lot of questions."
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