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Live sport on SN this weekendRed Roses boss wary of ‘enthusiastic’ Black Ferns challenge
Henry Lee • September 25th, 2026 11:07 am
Amarante Sititi and Amy du Plessis celebrate scoring a try in their convincing victory over Scotland in Edinburgh | Photo: Craig Watson/Photosport
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has no illusions about the type of Black Ferns side they'll face at Allianz Stadium on Sunday (NZ time).
Mitchell’s side will face Whitney Hansen’s Black Ferns after England’s first bump in the road since the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, having drawn 26-26 last weekend at Sandy Park in Exeter.
The Red Roses remain unbeaten in their last 39 outings, and will host the World No. 2 side in front of more than 50 thousand people in London on Sunday.
The former All Blacks coach has made three changes from last weekend’s draw to take on the Kiwis, knowing the hosts will face a tough challenge from Hansen's side.
"I think Whitney and the coaching group have done a great job," Mitchell told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy on Friday morning.
"They definitely look a lot more enthusiastic, faster, with good line speed, good in the collision."
Black Ferns lay down the challenge against Scotland in Edinburgh | Photo: Craig Watson/Photosport
Mitchell admits he's been surprised by how the Black Ferns have played under Hansen, as it's a slightly different style to what Kiwis are used to.
"[A bit] unusual for a New Zealand side to kick early. I think they definitely like getting territory. So it's interesting that they're not playing as much in their own half.
The 62-year-old Red Roses boss said his side expect a kicking battle, but understand there's an element of "unpredictability" about this new-look Black Ferns side.
"Against Scotland they ran everything, so it just goes to show the unpredictability that they do have," Mitchell said.
"As you know, all New Zealand sides back their skill set, they're very intuitive, so we'll just try and have to deal with whatever we get."
Listen to the full interview below
