“Hooker is such a special position, so it’s not easy to grow in depth at that position. I mean, having more depth would be awesome, but that’s where we’re at right now.”
It’s a situation where NZR could be open to exploring more in the women’s game going forward.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB, NZR general manager of professional rugby and operations Chris Lendrum said it would make sense to take a “slightly different approach” to exemptions for professional women’s players than those operating in the men’s game.
“The player’s long-term commitment, demonstrated by what they have done for us before they leave and their goal on their return, is very important. It would be fair to say that we have thought about our eligibility,” said Lendrum.
“We know that our players generally don’t play the number of games a year that our competitors in England and France and Canada do. So we think we need a slightly different approach for our top women’s players as opposed to our top men’s players at the moment, who get a lot of rugby during the season.
“It’s not something we’ve made a firm decision on, apart from obviously being an exception to the Georgia case at the moment. But we’ll assess everything once the campaign is over and see how the players return to New Zealand Rugby later in the year and it could be an opportunity to be used again in the future.”
Ponsonby was one of three Black Ferns to take up full-time contracts at PWR after last year’s World Cup, along with fellow Trailfinders lock Alana Borland and Exeter prop Amy Rule.
Other Black Ferns are still playing in the English competition as injury replacements while under contract with NZR, with co-captain Ruahei Demant (Bristol Bears), prop Tanya Kalounivale (Ealing Trailfinders), lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Ealing) and loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Harlequinla Harlequins) all playing for the Pacific Saquin team. was ruled out for the campaign with an ACL injury.
While talking to Herald from London, Ponsonby couldn’t help but laugh as he crossed paths with Kalounivale and 20 try Black Fern Ruby Tui, perhaps a sign of the rise of Kiwis in the English competition.
“Oh my god, you won’t believe it. I’m off on my journey and I’m going to run into Tanya and Ruby Tui in bloody London.”
In terms of rugby, Ponsonby said there was a rhythm that came with playing in the 20-week tournament that was hard to compare to anything he experienced in New Zealand.
“It’s great when you have the last few games and you get those little things right, and then you get into that situation, which I think, when you play four, five games in a row at home, and then it’s over, and then you take a big break, it’s hard to get into that situation,” he said.
“That’s what I liked the most here; rugby is just part of your life. The game is every Saturday and that’s what you have to prepare for. I think that makes a big difference. You get a lot of consistency in your game.”
Ponsonby will return to the Trailfinders after the Pacific Four series, with the Ealing side looking to secure a place in the top four and into the post-season. Heading into the international break with two rounds of the regular season remaining, the Trailfinders sit fourth on the ladder, four points clear of fifth-placed Sale Sharks.
However, he expected to return to New Zealand once the PWR season was over.
“I will be going home, I don’t want to look too far ahead.”
“Obviously I’m committed to working on my team here and I hope my Trailfinders team can take the top four. So it depends on a lot of things, like how well my team goes, how long our season will last, etc.
Christopher Reeve get in touch with Herald sports team in 2017, which brings different levels of his use as he does in his ways of watching the games.
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