Wafer & Monaghan in contention to face Black Ferns

In contention for Sunday’s Pool C decider is Ireland’s Aoife Wafer and Sam Monaghan, respectively, back row.

As a result of her knee surgery in July, key back row Wafer has missed Ireland’s victories over Japan and Spain.

Irish scrum coach Denis Fogarty criticized Monaghan for being “precautionary” in the victory over Spain.

Fogarty said, “We want to get them on the park if people are fit and ready to play,” but he would not say whether the duo would be chosen against New Zealand.

“Ultimately, we’re going out to actually win the game,” Fogarty said. “That’s been our goal the entire time.

Although I am aware that there will be a quarter-finale [the following week], we are fully focused on this game and making sure we have a performance ready to help us advance to the quarter-final.

In WXV1 in September, Ireland defeated reigning world champions New Zealand.

Whoever wins in Brighton on Sunday will advance to the last eight as Pool winners, with both teams already qualified for the quarter-finals.

Fogarty claimed that as she recovers from injury, Wafer, who won the tournament at this year’s Six Nations, has “continued on her progression.”

After continuing her rehab in Dublin, Wafer returned to the Irish squad following the opening victory over Japan.

He claimed that the 22-year-old had made “full contact” again in a controlled environment and that she would do so again.

The next step will be that. We’re optimistic that everything will go well for her and that she’ll win the weekend,” added Fogarty.

She is “bursting to go,” implying that if the game were available today, she would want to play it. There is a little bit of controlling and restraint against her.

She’ll be prepared, according to the statement, and “we have no doubts that she’ll be bullying everyone out when she plays.”