PWR Press Conference: Barney Maddison and Georgia Ponsonby
Read the update ahead of Trailfinders Women vs Bristol Bears in Round Four of the PWR.
Ahead of Round Four of the PWR, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Black Fern Georgia Ponsonby answered questions from the media after a win on the road in Round Three.
When asked about this weekend’s opponents, Maddison said:
“It’ll be a tough game. It’s the first time we’ve had back to back games with the structure of the season, with the Prem Cup and the World Cup. And then our bye week as well, we haven’t actually had chance to play back to back games. So this will be the first time since February. It’ll be interesting.
“We’re coming off the back of a good win against Sale, but again, completely different kettle of fish in Bristol Bars. So it’ll be a very tough game.”
When asked about her move to Trailfinders from New Zealand, Ponsonby said:
“I feel like the main reason is because the girls have gone into their off season now, so they don’t have a test match until the Pacific Four Series in April 2026. Obviously, the Black Ferns will have training camps leading up to that but aside from that, there’s no rugby until then for the Kiwis.
“I guess that was a big reason why I came over as well as just wanting to try something a bit different.
“I’ve been in New Zealand for a long time and did the same routine and things. I was just excited to immerse myself in a different rugby culture and rub shoulders with amazing athletes over here and learn a few new things and just get some more game time because we don’t really play a heck of a lot of rugby back home.
“We have our Super Rugby competition, but it’s only six or seven weeks compared to what the seventeen round competition that we’ve got here, not including semis and finals.
“I definitely like playing more rugby.”
When asked about who she’s looking forward to playing against in the Bristol Bears side, Ponsonby said:
“Sarah Bern in the front row, obviously Hannah Botterman is injured at the moment, but they’ve got a really powerful forward pack. I think scrum time will be a real battle.
“Abbie Ward at line out time will be exciting to go up against. And then we’re up against some of the best jacklers with like Evie Gallagher. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons why I’m so excited to be here because we’re playing against the best players in the world.
“Our game against Bristol is going to be epic. It’s going to be another tough battle. But you look at this competition and I just feel like you don’t know where it’s going to go.
“The results with each team so far have swayed back and forth, potentially to the teams that you didn’t think were going to go. Every single weekend you have to show up and play your very best rugby because every single team is really quality.”
After one win and one loss in the league this season, Barney Maddison was asked what he’d like his team to tick off the wish list. He said:
“It’s just a performance. I’ll back these girls to the hills in that sense and we’ve got some fantastic players and as long as we go out there, put a performance together, I’ve got no doubt we’ll be in a good place at the end of the 80 minutes.
“But it’s about our performance, and focussing on us. Bristol will be a very tough game. They’ve got a hell of a team, so again, we’ll have to be at our best at the weekend.”
