PARIS, France – At least one former World Cup champion will be eliminated from Finals contentionSaturday. It is do-or-die for two countries that each celebrate storied pasts in the elite tournament, yet face each other on the pitch where one has the potential to move on and the other does not.

 

The inaugural IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning Women’s Eagles face four-time defending champion New Zealand in what will determine which country will continue to vie for the another Cup, while the other will reach no higher than fifth.

 

“This will be a very intense game,” remarked Eagles Head Coach Pete Steinberg. “We are determined to work towards ‘Final in ‘14’ and the Black Ferns will be fighting for their legacy.”

 

Both need a win and potentially a bonus point from Saturday’s contest that kicks off at 12:00 P.M. ET.

 

Depending on the finishes of the Ireland-Kazakhstan and England-Canada matches, both teams might be fighting for a bonus point of scoring four tries in addition to simply defeating the opponent.

 

“I expect it to be a hard-hitting game,” commented Steinberg. “The Black Ferns are a physical team that like to play into space.”

 

Steinberg agrees with his staff on how to defeat the Black Ferns.

 

“We need to deny them space and when we get the ball we will be direct,” said Steinberg.

 

Eagles defense coach Peter Baggetta had similar sentiments about shutting down the dynamic New Zealand attack.

 

The three keys for Baggetta are “our ability to maintain possession of the ball, winning our set pieces, and closing down the time and space on defense.”

 

Despite the New Zealand match being the third match in eight days, Steinberg had all options when selecting for the final test of pool play.

 

“We are ready to go,” said Steinberg of his players. “We have everyone available to play and the excitement is building in the squad.”

 

Kate Daley, who will captain the Eagles versus New Zealand, also noted the excitement.

 

“We are excited for the opportunity to test ourselves and rise to the challenge that is in front of us,” said the number eight. “Regardless of the result against Ireland, New Zealand is still the world champion and the standard against which other teams measure themselves,”

 

Although a lot is at stake for the upcoming match, the mood has remained steady throughout the tournament. From the start the team knew “we had to beat New Zealand to move on to the finals,” said Steinberg.

 

However, despite having known what was required before the tournament, the Ireland match confirmed one thing for the team.

 

“Ireland’s performance against the Black Ferns confirmed that we are in the ‘Pool of Death’,” said Steinberg of the competition in Pool B.

 

Currently, Ireland sits atop Pool B having earned eight points from two wins. The Irish take on Kazakhstan as the opening match Saturday in Marcoussis.

 

The Eagles and New Zealand are tied for second having amassed six points each. Both defeated Kazakhstan, but fell to Ireland. Therein, each team earned bonus points through each match.

 

A win and an Ireland loss would mean the winner of the Eagles-Ferns contest would claim the pool and move through to the semifinal round.

 

If that does not occur, each team will be paying close attention to the England-Canada matchup, which takes place prior to the noon kickoff.

 

The needs of either team will be better defined following the Pool A contest.

 

Following the U.S.’s match against New Zealand, the winner will then need a certain outcome from the France-Australia test.

 

Universal Sports will air the Eagles’ match against the Black Ferns. Coverage begins at 11:30 A.M. ET.

 

1. Sarah Chobot 

2. Kathryn Augustyn 

3. Hope Rogers 

4. Carmen Farmer 

5. Sarah Walsh 

6. Jillion Potter 

7. Lynelle Kugler 

8. Kate Daley (C) 

9. Jocelyn Tseng 

10. Kimber Rozier 

11. Vanesha McGee 

12. Sylvia Braaten 

13. Akalaini "Bui" Baravilala 

14. Sadie Anderson 

15. Meya Bizer

 

16. Kittery Wagner 

17. Jamie Burke 

18. Sarah Wilson 

19. Sharon Blaney 

20. Shaina Turley 

21. Emilie Bydwell 

22. Nathalie Marchino

 

1. Ruth McKay 

2. Fiao’o Fa’amausili (C) 

3. Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox 

4. Eloise Blackwell 

5. Rawinia Everitt 

6. Linda Itunu 

7. Justine Lavea 

8. Casey Robertson 

9. Emma Jensen 

10. Kelly Brazier 

11. Renee Wickliffe 

12. Amiria Rule 

13. Huriana Manuel 

14. Claire Richardson 

15. Selica Winiata

 

16. Kathleen Wilton 

17. Aleisha Nelson 

18. Sanita Levave 

19. Aroha Savage 

20. Kendra Cocksedge 

21. Honey Hireme 

22. Shakira Baker

 

v New Zealand - Saturday, August 9 - 12:00 P.M. ET