Canterbury go two from two in Farah Palmer Cup, beating Auckland 33-27 stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
As they contemplate their final match of the Pacific Four series in Whangarei, the Black Ferns will be seeking to blood two more debutantes, record a third straight win and take more steps forward in their improving performances after the 28-0 shutout of Canada last Sunday.
Shepherd, who has worked with the Counties Manukau Heat in the Farah Palmer Cup, said the players will not be paid for their involvement in the fixture because it’s classified as an exhibition match, but he hopes that can change if a Super Rugby competition gets going in 2022. “It’s natural progression for the women to shift into Super Rugby after years of Farah Palmer Cup and there’s a real appetite from the players for it to happen next year,” Shepherd said. The Auckland clash could be the biggest women’s game in the country this year after the World Cup, due to be held in New Zealand, was postponed until 2022 because of Covid-19 complications, something that “devastated” some Black Ferns stars.