The Black Ferns, bruised after their first test loss to England, have delayed naming their side for Wednesday's re-match due to the tight turnaround and injuries to several players.
Information about their casualties was hard to come by today, but it is understood fullback and captain Victoria Grant is one of those carrying an injury following the 10-0 defeat at Twickenham yesterday morning (NZ time). The team is to be released overnight.
The New Zealanders must front up again on Wednesday morning NZ time at Esher Rugby Club in Surrey, with England coach Gary Street, whose side had played nine tests to the Black Ferns' nil going into the Twickenham match, saying the result owed much to his side's World Cup final loss last year.
Now it remains to be seen whether the Kiwis can pick themselves up and fight fire with fire.
"14 months of sheer hard work and preparation went into [that] performance,'' Street said.
"We were not satisfied with our performance in the World Cup final and we had a point to prove as much to ourselves as anyone. We played some good expansive rugby and our big players stood up and put the work in all over the park. It feels great that all our hard work has paid off.
"All that said, this is the start of a three test series against the world champions. Although I think we dominated most of the game and a lot of the areas, we have to keep this performance and momentum going. New Zealand are the world champions after all and there is no doubt that they will want to bounce back bigger and stronger on Tuesday at Esher, but we will be ready for that.''
It is uncertain whether the Black Ferns will be given their apparent lack of conditioning and match fitness against England. Their coach Grant Hansen has said plenty of soul searching would happen after the defeat. Now he will hope they can find a little inspiration to go with it.
The final test is at Esher on Sunday morning NZ time.
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