A sold-out Eden Park was a loud atmosphere for the Rugby World Cup opener. Photo: Photosport
The Black Ferns are sticking with some creative methods in a bid to iron out the kinks from their Rugby World Cup opener.
A nervy start in front of a world record home crowd forced New Zealand to come from behind in their first-up win over Australia.
A unique addition to Black Ferns training has remained in place ahead of Sunday's match against Wales in Auckland in a bid to combat the tension created by the crowd.
Midfielder Theresa Fitzpatrick said a large boom box mimicking a noisy stadium - the brainchild of coach Wayne Smith - was used.
"Something different that you probably wouldn't think of with the previous games that we have played is that you might not actually be able to hear the person two metres away from you, so just getting used to that and getting used to communicating in different ways.
"Sometimes you won't be able to yell so you need signals or just eye contact."
Black Ferns lock Chelsea Bremner is hoping for a better start against Wales. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
That level of noise and atmosphere contributed to New Zealand's nervy start last weekend.
Unsurprisingly, lock Chelsea Bremner said they were keen to ensure the same did not happen against Wales.
Bremner said they needed to bring "the intensity from the get-go" in the second game.
"We knew it was going to be a different feel, the first world cup game and a massive crowd, but for us it is just starting with that intent that we want to finish with."
But that didn't mean the Black Ferns weren't lapping up the support coming their way.
Halfback Ariana Bayler said it was a little strange, but in a nice way, to be recognised so much around the streets of Auckland.
"We just went for coffee on Saturday morning and we picked a place under Sky Tower and we got stopped every five minutes while we were drinking our coffee and that was something I've never had to think of before but it's so cool having everyone behind us."
Behind them on Sunday will be a sold-out crowd of 4500 at Waitakere Stadium.
Defence coach Wes Clarke said the support would come in handy against a Welsh side who narrowly defeated Scotland in their first match, but would be fired up for a crack at the host nation.
"Smithy always says - you know he's been to a few world cups now - teams always put a bit extra in when it's a world cup and particularly against us so we're expecting a bit of fire and brimstone as well."
Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith knows New Zealand teams are targets during Rugby World Cups. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
But Clarke said that would not stop the New Zealand selectors from making several changes to the team that was announced on Friday.
"We've got to be in a position where if we had to make changes later in the tournament people are able to make those changes quickly, so it's a good time for us to practice that but there is a balance between getting a little bit of cohesion and momentum going as well."
The Black Ferns would be hoping a sold-out crowd would help in that regard.
And even if the match is at a much smaller stadium - Fitzpatrick is confident the atmosphere would be very much the same.
"With Trusts Stadium being more intimate I think you'll probably hear the crowd a little bit more and school holidays here so there's gonna be lots of noise still."
-RNZ
