Black Ferns captain Kennedy Simon praised the team's culture as she hailed the impact of New Zealand's three most recent international matches on their fourth World Rugby Pacific Series series win over the USA.
New Zealand opened its Pacific Four Series title defense by defeating the Women's Eagles 57-5 in Hamilton on Saturday.
Starting from the second row Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu scored her side's sixth try and substitute fly-half Hannah King added a ninth try as well as two late conversions.
Meanwhile, Maya Joseph – daughter of former All Black Jamie – has been impressed by the scrum-half, and Kennedy believes the new caps are evidence of the depth of talent within New Zealand women's rugby.
“I think it comes down to our performance culture,” Simon said.
“It's unbelievable, you can't stop because someone is always coming to wear the shirt, and that's the way we want it.”
Combinations
Pacific Four series
New Zealand Women
USA Women's
Simon believes the trio have made a strong case for their future selection, proving they can confidently make the step up to Test rugby.
“I think they came fighting and had an amazing impact on our team,” she added.
“They're in our DNA…they do their job, they do their job well and the best thing about them is they're great people off the field as well.”
Former international volleyball player Faibolo's debut was made all the more impressive as she pulled away in the first half. “It was so amazing, such a great feeling,” she said.
As a standout player in New Zealand's domestic Super Rugby Aupiki competition, Faibulu thanks her teammates for putting her on the scoreboard.
“I'm just thankful for the girls who stuck with me to push me across the try line,” Faibolo added.
“It's very difficult for us to score tries, so I'm very happy now.”
Vaipulu was fortunate to start alongside Super Rugby Aupiki Blues teammate and experienced campaigner Maiakawanakaulani Roos, who she says was a reassuring influence throughout her first camp at the Black Ferns.
“She was very good to me, helping me a lot in understanding my role and what I should do on the field,” Faibolo explained.
Fellow debutant Joseph directed the play well on her debut, helping player of the match Mirirangi Paul score an 11-minute hat-trick, one of the quickest goals in Test history, with a precise kick across the pitch.
With the Black Ferns leading 36-0 at half-time, King took to the field for the first time in what will surely be a proud moment for retired Black Ferns player Kendra Cocksedge who was a mentor as she rose through the ranks.
King has settled well into her position, completing an impressive run of debuts which Black Ferns director of rugby Alan Ponting says has given him plenty of food for thought.
“I was very happy and very happy for our ladies. In their first game, they really stood up and started doing some of the things we want to do.”
“I was thinking, I hope we don't get too excited and get a little excited… but our ladies were very calm. We saw more kicks and tried to get down to the right areas which is really fun to see.”
“I love seeing these ladies use their talents on the court, which is why I coach.”
The Black Ferns' next match will be against Canada next Sunday at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
Ponting says he expects Canada to pose a good challenge to his team early in the season.
“Canada is a good team, isn't it, they've got some really good forwards who work hard and some exciting defenders, and they seem to be kicking it a bit more as well, so next week will be challenging,” he said. “It's a really good challenge for us.”
