AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Parachuted into the Black Ferns coaching role just six months out from the World Cup, a reflective Wayne Smith has spoken of his love for his New Zealand team while making just one change for Saturday's decider with England.
Smith has promoted No. 8 Charmaine McMenamin into the starting side following Liana Mikaele-Tu'u's thumb injury, a decision that has seen co-captain Kennedy Simon retained on the bench.
McMenamin's selection is just reward for a player that underwent spinal surgery just over a year ago, a place in the run-on side for a World Cup final at Eden Park capping an incredible journey to reach the tournament.
"She's been incredible because I don't think she would have ever dreamed that she would be here," Smith said. "After the spinal operation just being able to play again at club level was probably the dream and to get through to where she is.
"We put her in the trial team, they got beaten by 50 points, but she really showed out. Her skill showed out, her heart showed out and so we picked her from that and gave her an opportunity.
"She's very smart. She loves the game and you've just got to really be proud of her mental toughness to be able to come back and play at this level and perform well."
Battling back from her own injury, a calf issue that saw her miss the opening pool matches of the tournament, co-captain Simon was praised by Smith for her game smarts and leadership ability.
"She's such an influence when she comes on; she adds real aggression, she's smart, she gives us another leader coming on later in the game. She made some really good decisions in that last 10 seconds against France. She's a smart woman who comes on and gives us something."
Labelling himself as the underdog for the first time since his days at the Crusaders, Smith has made sure to keep things much the same for the lead up to the final, retaining the laughter, fun and relaxed atmosphere the team has enjoyed throughout the tournament.
Taking on the role following Glenn Moore's resignation earlier in the year, Smith reflected on his short tenure with the side.
"This has been an experience I never thought I would enjoy so much," Smith said on Thursday. "Once you understand the struggle for these women to be here. As I said before we've got lawyers, we've got a fourth-year med student, we've got a civil engineering student, we've got corporate workers, we've got all sorts on the team, they've only just become professional.
"And they're smart and they make the most out of the occasion so they don't get too uptight, they can't see the point of that because it's been so hard to get here, so they just enjoy it and they sing, they dance and they thump the music out on the bus. I'm trying to think about what I'm going to say at half time and there's music pumping out and people talking.
"But I've come to love it and I love these girls. I've really enjoyed the whole atmosphere. We have a lot of fun. We've established some rituals now through the week that create laughter and social cohesion in the team, hopefully they'll stay on and become part of history, part of something that happens constantly.
"It's been a lot of fun, but I've got other plans coming up."
With kick-off now just a couple of days away, Smith and the players are eager for the packed out stands that await them at Eden Park with over 42,000 tickets sold. Looking back on comments he made earlier in the tournament about "exciting the nation," the 65-year-old believes the fun and flair with which the Black Ferns have played has captured the public's imagination.
"We've played some good rugby; we've played rugby that I've been really proud of. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing when I came in, but I was adamant that I wanted to create a game that was true to our DNA, not reinventing anything but just teaching the girls how to play on top of teams and how to create the skills that only we need because we're the only ones playing that game.
"There's a unique set of skills, a unique mindset to play how we play and I wasn't sure whether we'd be able to create that or not and I think we've done that. We're not perfect but hopefully it's a blueprint for the future, because I think it's excited people and it's excited the girls."
New Zealand: Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman, Ruahei Demant, Kendra Cocksedge, Charmaine McMenamin, Sarah Hirini, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, AmyRule, Georgia Ponsonby, Phillippa Love. Replacements: Luke Connor, Krystal Murray, Santo Taumato, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kennedy Simon, Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Ayesha Leti-l'iga.