Almost 12 months after their heartwrenching World Cup final defeat at Auckland, England Red Roses insist revenge isn't on their agenda, when they face the Black Ferns during the inaugural WXV 1 competition next month.
The English women took a record 30-game winning streak into their showdown against the home team, but saw their run snapped in a 34-31 thriller that saw winger Lydia Thompson red-carded and Ferns lock Joanah Ngan-Woo famously steal an attacking lineout throw in the final seconds.
New Zealand's joy was England's despair.
"Sport is cruel, it doesn't always end the way you want to," lamented captain Sarah Hunter, who retired during this year's Six Nations championshp, won by England for the 19th time.
They have been spared a return to the scene of their downfall, when they face the Black Ferns at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, but team veterans claim payback isn't on their minds.
"No, we don't really see it as that," said lock Rosie Galligan. "We're seeing it as something where we want to go out and put our best foot forward.
"We know this is a good tournament in itself, but we're in a building phase and we'll just play the rugby we know we can play.
"Obviously, it was disappointing not coming away with that World Cup win, but at the same time, it's put a bit of fire in our bellies and we're definitely coming back stronger."
After the success of the World Cup in New Zealand, World Rugby has created the WXV format to capitalise on the continued development of the women's game, bringing together the three best Six Nations teams - England, France and Wales - with the three best Pac Four sides - New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
"Looking at all the games in WXV, we want to go out and win them, but we want to perform as well," said hooker Lark Atkin-Davies. "We know the Black Ferns game will be a massive occasion, but we're also very aware we want to keep the focus on us and our performances."
With the start of a new World Cup cycle - this one just three years, after the COVID-19 delay to the last - both teams will look somewhat different to those that met at Eden Park.
Of the 23 players in their gameday squad for that final, 11 are missing from the Black Ferns group for WXV, most notably the sevens stars that crossed over to bolster the 15-a-side format, along with veteran scrumhalf Kendra Cocksedge and lineout hero Ngan-Woo.
England are missing 10 of their line-up that night.
"I think the energy so far has been amazing," said Atkin-Davies, who came off the bench. "We're on a new journey together since the World Cup, we've got loads we've been working on.
"It's just a really exciting time to be part of the Red Roses - lots of new faces, lots of new faces too."
England kick off their campaign against Australia at Wellington on Friday, followed by Canada at Dunedin on October 27 and New Zealand on November 4.
The Black Ferns take on France - another team hurting from their World Cup semi-final defeat by the Kiwis - on Saturday.
Join Newshub at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Black Ferns v France WXV 1 match
