AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- "Aunty Cindy", New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has dropped into Black Ferns camp days out from the women's Rugby World Cup final to treat some of the players to a dinner date and a cheeky social media appearance.
Unable to attend the match on Saturday due to the East Asia Summit leaders forum in Cambodia, Ardern made sure to show the players her support as they prepare to take on title favourites England at a sold-out Eden Park.
Joining some of the players in Auckland on Thursday night, Ardern was captured alongside Black Ferns stars Stacey Fluhler, Portia Woodman and Ayesha Leti-liga in a BeReal post the Black Ferns shared on their Twitter.
In a separate post, wing Ruby Tui shared a joke with Ardern asking the Prime Minister once she'd finished her term whether she'd give Ruby "Ardern [a turn]?"
Had to🤷🏽♀️😂@jacindaardern pic.twitter.com/sCXhTNoxis
— Rubes Tui (@rubytui) November 10, 2022
It follows the resident joker's video from the start of the tournament alongside New Zealand band Six60's guitarist Matiu Walters.
Lucky this random guy is supporting us for #Oct8th pic.twitter.com/iRIGH3dUnu
— Rubes Tui (@rubytui) October 2, 2022
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Simon labelled Ardern as "lowkey", sharing the message the Prime Minister had given the players ahead of their final match.
"It was awesome, she was really lowkey," Simon told media at the team's captain's run. "She's an awesome individual, just coming in to show some support and just make sure that we know that our country's right behind us.
"[She told us] just to go out, no matter what, what we've done here had been incredible, but you know, it's not over til it's over."
Making sure to maintain a relaxed setting heading into the match, Simon revealed the team returned to the hotel on Thursday for a games night, with another one locked in ahead of kick off.
"It's so funny we've all got different sort of things that we like to do," Simon said. "But I know that there's going to be a game tonight in the team room, nothing really changes.
"Last night there was a Crash Bandicoot comp that was really funny, it was really good. But other than that, everyone just sort of chills, connects, it should be good."
Earlier in the day the Red Roses underwent their final training session as they prepared for anything the unpredictable Auckland weather could throw at them on game day.
Withstanding what felt like four seasons in a day, the side was peppered with rain, before a glimpse of sunshine and blue skies peeked through the crowds, only to finish the session with gusty winds. With weather forecasts bouncing between rain and sunshine come game day both teams are preparing for whatever comes.
"No [the weather doesn't play on our minds]," Simon said. "We've got an amazing captain Ruahei [Demant], she's covered all the what ifs and we're prepared for anything nature decides to throw at us.
"I think what last week taught us is that it's not over till the last whistle, so we're prepared for whatever the game throws at us. Like I said, Ruahei went over it [different game plans] and we have the utmost belief in each other."
Closing out their final training session, Red Roses fly-half Zoe Harrison sent off a final drop-kick in what could be a foreshadowing what's to come tomorrow.
"We're just making sure we've dotted our I's and crossed our T's in all our preparation and that does include the drop goal as well," England captain Sarah Hunter told ESPN.
"You don't know what might happen, hopefully we won't be in that situation but if we do we practised it, we've rehearsed it, so we'll have that in our arsenal as well."