Ireland faces the challenge of contending with the multifaceted athlete Jorja Miller, whose unique blend of athletic prowess poses a fresh challenge.
Rising Star Jorja Miller Poses Threat Ahead of Ireland-New Zealand Clash
Ireland and New Zealand are set to face off in an exciting match, with the spotlight on 21-year-old Jorja Miller. The Olympic champion has been making waves in the rugby world, scoring two tries apiece in victories against Spain and Japan.
Miller's "hybrid athlete" skills have been highlighted by Brittany Hogan, who will be keeping a close eye on her in the back row. Allan Bunting, coach of the New Zealand team, and Stacey Flood, Ireland's coach, are both aware of Miller's potential impact.
Flood believes the best way to tackle Miller's threat is to focus on team play rather than individual players. He emphasizes that in rugby, there's always a way, and they need to realize what they need to do to manage the situation, depending on what happens.
Miller's background in dancing contributes to her mesmerizing footwork, a trait that was on full display in her first try against Japan, where she danced through three defenders from 40 meters out. Her second try was a poach at a ruck, where she sprinted into the distance before the majority of the Japanese defenders noticed her presence.
Four of the New Zealand gold medalists from the Olympics will start this year's match, including Miller. Risi Pouri-Lane, Stacey Waaka, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Miller form a formidable lineup. Woodman-Wickliffe has reached 50 tries for the Black Ferns, a national record across both the men's and women's game.
Ireland's coach Scott Bemand was able to call upon several Olympic Sevens stars for their WXV campaign last year. Emily Lane, Erin King, Eve Higgins, and Vicky Elmes Kinlan were available off the bench for Ireland last year. Amee-Leigh Costigan and Stacey Flood started in the game for Ireland last year.
The Black Ferns lost to Ireland in a previous match, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming encounter. The coach of the Irish women's rugby team for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is not yet known, but the Irish Rugby Football Union is involved in the tournament.
New Zealand's starting XV for the Rugby World Cup Pool C decider in Brighton has six survivors from last year's defeat to Ireland. Miller leads the tournament for defenders beaten with 17, while her seven clean breaks are more than any other forward, and she has the most metres with the ball in hand of any forward in the competition.
As the two teams prepare to face off, Miller's agility, speed, and unpredictable playing style promise to make for an exciting match. Flood and Bunting will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them as they strive to contain the young star.
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