After their preparations for the last Rugby World Cup on home soil were disrupted by internal issues, coach Allan Bunting appears to have forged an impressive sense of collective purpose. When it comes to New Zealand and the women's World Cup, there is a feeling of inevitability that bolsters their belief and undermines that of their rivals. The Red Roses have lost all five finals they have contested against New Zealand. The win over South Africa was the second match that New Zealand have started slowly. Japan also caught the Black Ferns cold, exposing a narrow defence to score the first try before being blown away 62-19.