While the team may be under new direction, new coach Allan Bunting has assured Black Ferns fans they can expect to see the same brand of expansive rugby, when they take to the field for the first time since last year's World Cup triumph.
On Thursday, the world champions will take on Australia at Brisbane in their first match under Bunting, and assistants Tony Christie, Steve Jackson and Mike Delany.
With former coach Sir Wayne Smith at the helm last year, the NZ women captured the hearts of the nation with an attractive brand of running rugby that saw them edge England in a pulsating final at Eden Park to become back-to-back champions.
Kicking was almost an afterthought for the Ferns, who played a possession-based game that took full advantage of their arsenal of explosive attacking weapons across the paddock.
Some of the most potent of those threats have now moved on from that side, including Ruby Tui, Portia Woodman and Kendra Cocksedge, but Bunting suggests that will have no bearing on their rugby philosophy as new era dawns.
"We talk about our DNA and I think [attacking] is in our soul here," said Bunting. "We weren't born with shields, we were born with weapons.
"We were born to attack, so I'd say we'll probably see a bit more of that."
Bunting has named six debutants in his gameday squad for their clash with the Wallaroos in a match that doubles as the series-opener for both the Pacific Four and the O'Reilly Cup - the annual trans-Tasman showdown.
One face familiar to Black Ferns faithful is first-five Ruahei Demant. The 2022 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year was the fulcrum of the Ferns' showstopping exploits during last year's tournament in New Zealand.
Co-captain Demant admits the squad has worked to strike the balance of maintaining their best attributes, while allowing their new coaching leadership group to introduce their own flavour to the mix.
"I'd say it's been a bit of 50-50," said Demant. "Obviously, the way that we played last year - the courage and the freedom that we built and played with - has definitely been the foundation and how we would still like to play come gameday
"[Bunting] has been clear on this next period being a period of building depth within our squad. That has come down to the influence of our new coaches, and trying to evolve as individuals and as a team."
After facing the Australians, the Ferns are scheduled to play Canada and the United States in consecutive weeks at Ottawa, before returning south to close out their series against the Australians at Hamilton in late September.
Bunting intends giving every member of his 30-strong squad an opportunity to prove themselves on the field, as the team embark on the start of a new World Cup cycle.
"We're massively excited to hit the field," he added. "It's been a while since we've played a test match, so we're really looking forward to a couple of days' time.
"There's definitely a few things that these ladies held onto through the World Cup that I think really ignited our country.
"There's not going to be really massive changes, but we're certainly excited to see the influence of the new coaches.
"We've had some pretty good ideas that have come through, we're really building the foundations."
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