BROOKE ANDERSON | Kiwi Ferns star chats this weekend's RLWC matchup against France

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Kiwi Ferns in action this weekend against Frad's in the Rugby League World Cup, and joining us on the line is Lockbrook Anderson. Brooke, good morning to you. Kia ora.

Brooke Anderson (0:26)

Kia ora, how are you?

SPEAKER_2 (0:27)

Mate, we're good.

More importantly, how are you guys? 18-12 over Fiji. I'm sure Ricky Henry had a few things to say during the week, and I'm sure you guys had a little bit of a look to and thought, right, how can we improve during this World Cup? What has the main message through the week been, Brooke?

Brooke Anderson (0:43)

Yeah, I think the main message for us is just to concentrate on ourselves. And, you know, it was a really tough game to start. The Fiji girls played awesome and it really, really gave us a kick up the butt to, you know, sort our stuff out and work on our combos. And, you know, this week, that's what's been happening. We've been all about us and, you know, we've got a few debutantes. So, yeah, it's really exciting.

SPEAKER_2 (1:06)

You get the elevation to a starting spot as well, Brooke. And you're right about those debutantes. It does bring a different element to the team. But having a hit out together and getting one under the belt, what does that do for the confidence and what does that give you in terms of a road map to improvement?

Brooke Anderson (1:23)

Yeah, I think it's always good to belt that first one out. Build a bit of confidence, work on combos and just being used to playing with each other again. We all play in different teams in normal comp and yeah, just about building connections. So, yeah, tough first hit out, but I'm really proud of the girls.

They fought hard right to the end. And yeah, the message this week is just being to concentrate on us and work on our own with ourselves.

Sammy (1:54)

Hey Brooke, it's Sammy here. Really appreciate your time on the show. And I've got to say that the Fijian woman need a huge pat in the back. I thought that the lack of fear or wary of reputation, they came straight in and went at you right through the middle, right from the start.

The completion rate, the position on being on the wrong side of that is pretty rare for the Kiwi Ferns. The basics usually flow together quite nicely. Is it quite, when you look at how you review that, I mean, it feels like one outside the box performance rather than a major issue. Training clicking along? Is the balls moving smoothly? Everyone working in the right pattern with the passing? When you get training, it was just an afternoon that didn't work out?

Brooke Anderson (2:39)

Yeah, I think a lot of things that happened on that day were really uncharacteristic of us, and we've had those tough conversations, which you always do after each game, you review them and look to move forward. But the only way is up, and I think that's the nature of this game, and especially for a World Cup, it's a long camp. So yeah, it's good to just build momentum and build on top of each game.

SPEAKER_2 (3:08)

You mentioned looking at yourselves as a team and focusing on what you guys can do. The French team will come here looking to have a vastly improved performance of their own. So what do you make of the French and what have you done from a scouting point of view, looking at where their various threats might be?

Brooke Anderson (3:25)

Yeah, I think it's quite tough with the French, just because we haven't played them before. So we're kind of in the unknown. But I think the message has always been from the start, and especially with this week building the same message, like we're concentrating on ourselves. So we've mainly just been prioritizing our combos and how we can work well together and slotting the right people in the team. And we know we got to get a job done this weekend. It's no easy task. Every game is going to be tough. So yeah, we're ready for the challenge.

Sammy (3:59)

And that comes with an adjusted team.

We've been talking about the one that is Tanika Willison, getting her fourth black jersey in four different sports. I mean, just an unreal talent as well as some other opportunities for debut across the side. How is the energy levels, especially with someone like Tanika and Shantae as well, putting their hand up for her debut as well?