Bemand ‘confident’ Wafer will play in quarter-final

Brighton &amp Hove Albion Stadium Date: Sunday, September Kick-off: 14:45 BST

Coverage on BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer starting at 14:30, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra starting at 14:30, and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle starting at 14:00, with text commentary from the BBC Sport website.

After resisting the urge to include her in Sunday’s final Pool C game against New Zealand in Brighton, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says he is “confident” Aoife Wafer will be ready for a World Cup quarter-final.

Due to pre-tournament knee surgery, the back row hasn’t yet been able to play in the competition, and the Irish camp has erred on the side of caution. She was even considered for Sunday’s game against the defending champions.

Although Bemand acknowledged that the Black Ferns were tempted to introduce the Wexford woman, it is important to have the tournament’s women ready for either France or South Africa for the meeting the following week.

From the beginning to the moment Aoife joins the group a few days after we arrive, Bemand said, “everything is tracking and trending and has been a bit of a plan.”

“Aoife is desperate to be involved,” she says, “she’s back in training, doing well, and doing well.”

We considered picking her this week, but we decided that going into training again next week and seeing how that goes will help us the following week.

Bemand anticipates the Ulster flanker’s return next weekend despite the fact that Fiona Tuite has been suspended due to a knock suffered last week against Spain.

She is ruled out for this weekend, he continued, “but she’ll be fine for the following week.”

She is playing really well, and we need her to reach the quarter-final, she said.

With victories against Japan and Spain already secured a spot in the last eight, Bemand said his players are “in the right place” for the New Zealand game, which “the World Cup is ready for”.

In theory, winning the group will set up a less challenging quarter-final, but staying in the lead will be just as crucial as winning the group.

He said, “You have more control over the fixtures and games that come in the knockout stages because you win the group.”

“The occasion should get the game it deserves,” declares New Zealand. “We’ve picked strong.” This game is ready for the World Cup.

We’ll both experience triumphant moments, so make the most of them. We are aware that we will reach the quarter-finals, and we can use this to create momentum.