By Jeff McTainsh
Returning home as Rugby World Champions is nothing new for the Black Ferns but the feeling is just as special the fourth time around.
“Definitely not any duller, you know these 26 girls that went away it's their first World Cup and it's fantastic that it's the fourth for the Black Ferns in history,” says Black Ferns captain Melissa Ruscoe.
The Ferns were outstanding at the tournament scoring 186 points and conceding only 33.
But it was tough in their 13 - 10 win against England with three players sin-binned during the match.
“Yeah it was tough you know and frustrating and a little bit annoyed and there was heaps of emotions in that game but at the end of it, it was just elation that we had actually won, so yeah extremely proud,” says Ruscoe.
While being elated and proud the team were also eager to get home after hearing news of the Canterbury earthquake.
“Like two nights before our final I think so definitely not ideal for us, but yeah, we're getting plenty of reassurance that everything's alright,” says Black Ferns No. 8 Casey Robertson
And while most of the team are now heading back to their day jobs they're not ruling out having another go at the title again in four years time.
“There's still a phenomenal group of players here, we won't worry about that at the moment,” says coach Brian Evans
If their track record is anything to go by who would bet against them.
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