New Zealand will begin their bid for a fifth consecutive women's World Cup title on Friday, but insist they will not be dwelling on past achievements as the 12-team tournament kicks off in France.
The spotlight during the August 1-17 competition will also be shining bright on the women's game after the inclusion of rugby sevens, for both sexes, at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"We're all here for the same reason, to win the World Cup. There's definitely pressure there but it's how we deal with it," New Zealand captain Fiao'o Faamausili said.
"We've told the girls not to think about what's happened in the past, it's about what happens now. We are taking each match as it comes and just enjoying it."
With one eye on the Rio Games, New Zealand's Black Ferns boasts a number of cross-over sevens players, notably Huriana Manuel, a veteran of the 2006 and 2010 title defences who has also led New Zealand to back-to-back IRB Women's Sevens World Series titles as well as a first Rugby World Cup Sevens title in Moscow last year.
Other versatile players include fly-half Kelly Brazier, backrower Linda Itunu and utility back Selica Winiata, although try-scoring machine Portia Woodman is missing after sustaining an ankle injury.
In 2010, New Zealand won a thrilling final, 13-10, against arch-rivals England, who will surely also be in the reckoning this time around to lift some silverware at Stade Francais' Stade Jean Bouin in three weeks' time.
"You can't help but look back to something like (the women's Rugby World Cup in) 2010 which was massive for the women's game but obviously the result wasn't ideal for us," said England captain Katy McLean.
"That was really tough but four years later you have to move on, you learn lessons, you play more rugby and get better."
New Zealand have been drawn in Pool B alongside the United States, Ireland and Kazakhstan, while England are in Pool A with Canada, Spain and Samoa. Pool C comprises Australia, France, Wales and South Africa.
Brett Gosper, cheif executive officer of rugby's world governing body, the IRB, predicted that the tournament, with the pool matches to be played at the French rugby federation's headquarters in Marcoussis, would be a great boost.
"We know that women's rugby is gaining popularity," Gosper said. "It's grown two or three times since the last World Cup four years ago. There is a raised interest and the visibility is huge.
"It also means that it finds its way into school curricula around the world which is very important because you find it in physical education classes, it gives it an acceptability and it means that it's being sampled by students who wouldn't usually sample it. We're really looking forward to this event."
Source: AFP
