Hard graft on the farm pays off for Hull

We put a quickfire round of questions to Black Fern flyhalf Rebecca Hull who tells us about life on the farm, training in isolation and the great expectations on every player pulling on a black jersey. New Zealand start their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign this Friday with their first game against South Africa.

How long have you been in the Black Fern squad?

I started out with the Black Ferns in 2004 and in between now and then I have had two years out through injury and then having a baby.

What do you do away from rugby?

Away from rugby my life is work on the family farm that I manage. It is a sheep and beef farm in Eketahuna so there is a lot to do. I am also kept busy with my beautiful family - my daughter Amber who's 2 and a half, and my husband Luke really are everything to me. I am really lucky to have such a good family who help me out a lot with my sport when I need to commit to that.

It's extremely hard to fit it all and we own our own business as well so life is very busy. I am lucky that my job on the farm helps keep me fit.

Tell us about your own training regime?

I have been training very hard. I definitely find it difficult to train on my own everyday of the week but it does help with flexibility to train when can and not have to depend on others.

I have only seen the team three times this year for camps and trials so alot of the work for me is very isolated. It is not the same for everyone though - a lot of the other girls come from the main cities and they see and train with each other all the time.

The Black Ferns are expected to win every World Cup how do you deal with that pressure?

I think we put more pressure on ourselves than any one else around us We have great expectations of ourselves and the people that are fortunate enough to wear the jersey understand what it means to be a Black Fern and they are greater expectations than anything or anyone else has.

Has there been much exposure of the Black Ferns in the media this year in New Zealand?

Not where I live in Alfredton!!!!

Is there extra pressure on the flyhalf position? What will Anna Richards bring to the squad?

I really playing number ten and I think there is pressure on everyone in a team so it doesn't really bother me that it might be more.

Anna makes a great toasted sandwich with cheese and ham in it, her experience in the kitchen will be very helpful!!