Black Ferns head coach Wayne Smith has revealed how his team plan to upset the likes of England and France at the upcoming Rugby World Cup, starting in October.
New Zealand will host the event, but despite being reigning champions, won't go into the tournament as favourites.
The Black Ferns have undergone a resurgence since Smith took over as head coach in April, after a disappointing 2021 season.
Four straight heavy losses to France and England during their Northern Tour prompted a much-needed overhaul in backroom staff.
Smith led the Black Ferns to a Pacific Four Series triumph, which included wins over Australia, Canada and the USA.
New Zealand's final preparation for the World Cup will be against their trans-Tasman rivals in a two-test series for the Laurie O'Reilly Cup.
Smith praised his players, and admitted they will have to be smart in their approach if they are to repeat their success at the World Cup.
"They are outstanding women, who are excited with the way that we are trying to play," he said.
"There are some areas where we are not going to be able to compete with some of the bigger teams from Europe.
"They've been professional for a long time, three years. We're just moving into the age, so we have to be really clever, be on the same page and play an attacking game and create a bit of chaos out there.
"We haven't been going for that long. The gameplan is different to what they've had before, but it was effective in the Pac Four and we started getting better at the end.
"I feel that we are getting better every day, so keep going and see what happens."
The first match against Australia will be at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on August 20, before the decider in Adelaide a week later.
Smith revealed his determination to win the Laurie O'Reilly Cup, and his appreciation for the rise of women's rugby in New Zealand.
"It is important because of [Laurie] O'Reilly. It's named after my old mate, my old mentor, he got me into coaching. He helped me coach when I was young, so for me it's a really emotional tournament for me," he said.
"I want us to perform well, I want the girls to perform well, so these tests are really important. Not just the build-up, but for me, it's honouring a man, who was instrumental in setting up women's rugby in New Zealand.
"It is beautiful. I think there is a surge in women's rugby. I saw a stat the other day, I think it's close to 200 women playing in the Farah Palmer Cup are between the ages of 16 and 20.
"That means the game is flourishing at that level and with women, girls coming through the game. It's important that we're visible, that we're playing an exciting brand of rugby because I think there's a big movement happening and it's going to be one of rugby's saviours I think."
