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Black Ferns savour life on the road after lengthy hiatus

Joseph Pearson

Life on the road is good.

The Black Ferns are back on tour and relishing the first weeks of their European adventure after 26 months without test rugby.

Yes, the Covid-19 pandemic – and tens of thousands of daily positive cases in the UK – means the squad and staff are effectively living in a bubble under strict protocols ahead of the tour opener against England in Exeter on Sunday (Monday NZ time).

But the Black Ferns have been craving a return to the international game, with two tests each against England and France to come, and matches against two heavyweights of women’s rugby are just what they’re after.

Outside the rugby, and regular tests for Covid-19, the team has tried to live the tour life as normally as possible, visiting historic sites such as Wembley and Stonehenge, while making the most of their new hotel in Halloween week.

‘‘It’s been quite interesting with Covid,’’ 11-test prop Pip Love said from Exeter yesterday.

‘‘I don’t feel like it’s been that much different from a normal tour. We’re not locked in our hotel rooms and have been playing cards, games, and lots of

‘‘Our new hotel is apparently haunted. That’s added more fun to the mix because it’s Halloween on Sunday night.’’

Black Ferns prop Pip Love

the girls sing and get together.

‘‘And our new hotel is apparently haunted. That’s added more

Sport

en-nz

2021-10-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282222308968729

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