The Black Ferns celebrate a try to Braxton Sorensen-McGee (C). Photo: Photosport
"The Jonah Lomu of her time" and her team will take on Canada this weekend in the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final, with hopes of taking New Zealand to victory.
Will it be back-to-back or bust for the Black Ferns, as their title defence faces the toughest test yet at the Women's Rugby World Cup in England?
The semi-finals are finally locked in, the pressure is building, and the Black Ferns' dream of retaining the coveted title hangs delicately in the balance.
Saturday morning, at 6am NZT, they take on an in-form Canadian team, ranked one place higher at second on the world rugby rankings.
Even top sports journalist and LockerRoom founding editor Suzanne McFadden was reluctant to predict a score.
"Oh, I'm not making any predictions, that's too hard," she laughed, before conceding: "Black Ferns by one. That's what I'm going for.
"We always really turn on the entertainment in semi-finals and finals, and I think it will go down to another thriller."
She says it will quite easily be the most challenging game the Black Ferns have played in this tournament.
"Let's face it, this is going to be a really tough game. Canada are good."
Canada have named an unchanged team for the semi-final while, in a blow for the Black Ferns, sevens star-turned-15s sensation Jorja Miller won't make the field, out with injury.
The nature of it hasn't been confirmed, but it's believed to be a hamstring injury; her left knee was heavily strapped in their 46-17 quarterfinal win over South Africa last weekend.
But the Kiwis will still have record-maker Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and teen sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee on the field.
And co-captain Ruahei Demant will also be there, celebrating her 50th test milestone, alongside outside back Ayesha Leti-I'iga for her 30th.
"Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the 18-year-old wonder kid, is turning this competition on its head," says McFadden.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee was just 18-years-old. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS
"You see her, and the way she is leading this tournament in tries - she's scored eight tries; she is leading the scoring - 52 points because she's kicked six conversions; she's leading in metres carried - 383 metres.
"She is incredible. She is the Jonah Lomu of her time.
"I'm going to pick that she will be the standout player of this tournament, she's already almost there, but I'm going to go that far."
In the other semi-final, England will take on France - the favourites versus the unpredictable.
But France will be without captain Manaé Feleu and loose forward Axelle Berthoumieu, who will miss the rest of the tournament.
Feleu has been handed down a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle in Sunday's quarter-final win over Ireland, while Berthoumieu will be off for nine games for biting Irish player Aoife Wafer.
"I think it's one of those 'heat-of-the-moment' things," McFadden says. "But [Berthoumieu] has come out and apologised for losing her cool and admits that it's got no place on the rugby field.
"It's appalling behaviour and fortunately, World Rugby did something about it after the game."
For fans, the dream scenario is another epic England-New Zealand showdown in the final, echoing that unforgettable 2022 night at Eden Park.
"I think England will be in the final, which obviously is what the organisers of this tournament would love," says McFadden. "That final has already sold out, 82,000 tickets - it's going to be the biggest women's rugby game ever.
"I really do think it will be an England-Black Ferns final."
And if that is the final, who will win? McFadden thinks it's us.
"Before this tournament started, I would have said England hands down, absolutely ... but now, I really think they will do this."
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