Aoife Wafer and Dorothy Wall reflect on dream come true of beating Black Ferns

admin admin | 10-01 00:15

Ireland flanker Aoife Wafer realised a dream in Vancouver overnight, as her two tries helped Ireland to a stunning victory over New Zealand in their WXV1 opener.

Three years to the week after Ireland failed to reach the last World Cup, Scott Bemand's revolution took another giant step forward as a last-gasp Erin King try and Dannah O'Brien conversion sealed a massive upset over the back-to-back world champions.

It was Wafer's two tries that set the ball rolling and afterwards the Wexford native tried to sum up what the victory meant for her and her team-mates.

"It's pretty indescribable," she said. "It will definitely take a little while for this to set in because we still have a big few weeks ahead. We're now competing in WXV1 so we have Canada up next then USA.

"I suppose for me, as a kid growing up in rugby I've dreamed of this day. I've dreamed of facing the Haka, dreaming of beating the Black Ferns and we've done that today. I'm so proud of everyone in our squad.

"The girls like to give me the ball a little bit and I just run through a brick wall for them. I'll do anything for the team. If that means tucking it up the jumper and running into somebody, I'll do that.

"The back three were doing brilliantly on pulling their wingers out and creating a bit more space for me. It was just run straight from there."

Ireland celebrate at the final whistle

Dorothy Wall echoed Wafer's sentiments on an emotional night at BC Place.

"I don't think it's sunk in yet. One to 27 or 28, how many players have we had there? Non-playing reserves, subs, everyone had an impact.

"We had absolute belief in what we were going to do. It's crazy where we've come in two years, to beat the Black Ferns in WXV1 is something that we dreamed of.

"You can't fault the staff at all. What they've put in place in terms of S&C, nutrition, how we train, how we start the week, how prepared we are. It's amazing, the support that we have and then we have the players, the likes of Erin King scoring two tries, Dannah O'Brien kicking a conversion.

"It's insane stuff, the belief that we have in the squad and the very talented athletes, and people, that are in this team.

"We were prepared for these moments, to be in that scenario. We all knew what the plan was come the time and we delivered.

"We will enjoy it. It's not often you beat the Black Ferns. We'll be sore tomorrow but we'll enjoy tonight, the whole occasion and get back to work Monday or Tuesday and be ready for the Canadians."

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