After two decades of peerless dominance, New Zealand's women have experienced a relatively down-beat three years and you sense that the fire is now burning deep within. 

Disappointment is of course all relative. The period between 2013 and 2015 has still brought much success with a Rugby World Cup Sevens title, three back-to-back world series crowns and 15-a-side success in 2015 in Canada, but the Women's Rugby World Cup title was relinquished for the first time in 2014 and latterly they've finished an uncomfortable second in both the sevens series and, of course, the Olympic Games.

The gaze now, though, is fixed firmly on Ireland 2017. After an unbeaten Super Series against Canada, England and USA in 2015, two test matches against the Wallaroos of Australia on 22 and 26 October will provide a welcome hit-out for the Black Ferns.

The strength of the Australian opposition is unknown - remarkably, the Wallaroos have not played a test since the last World Cup in 2014 - but they did warm up with a mid-week victory against the Auckland Storm and Black Ferns head coach Glenn Moore expects a tough game.

growing an arm and a leg

"It's hard to know exactly what to expect from them but at the same time you have to be mindful of what happens when New Zealand take on Australia in any sport: people grow an arm and a leg, whether it's rugby league, cricket, rugby. There's a definite clash factor," said Moore, talking with World Rugby's website, worldrugby.org.

"We're respectful of them, like we're respectful of the England team, many of whom now have full-time contracts, and the Canada team they beat in the last World Cup final, and other teams. But we want to be going in (to the Women's Rugby World Cup) as favourites, with no excuses.

"In New Zealand whenever a team represents the country at rugby there is an expectation that you will win, and that you will win pinnacle events. That brings a pressure with it, but we welcome that."

Formerly a Super Rugby coach with the Highlanders for five years and then the Blues for two more, Moore's acumen is now focused on that countdown to Ireland 2017, and travelling back to New Zealand nothing short of world champions. He believes his job is also made easier by the ferocious work ethic he has found in abundance in his charges.

"I think there's a natural work ethic that comes through very strongly in the women. Also some of the motherly instincts that help bond a team. It wouldn't be uncommon, for example, to find one of the older, more experienced players sitting around a laptop with four or five younger players, having taken it upon themselves to help them out and explain things. It's just an inherent part of how they work.

"They also work so hard. They suck up information like sponges and ask a lot of questions. And that is all having a very positive effect on their progress. We sat them down today and showed them some of the stats they're hitting in terms of performance and they're way ahead of where they were 12 months ago, and they still have plenty of scope to get better."

One stark difference between New Zealand and Australia is the approach to 15s and sevens players. New Zealand have included a number of their finest sevens players in the squad for these two games, for example winger Portia Woodman, while Australia's Olympians are notable by their absence.

"We think there's a place for both and ultimately we want to grow the pool of hard-working, talented players that we have playing both codes. You've seen England take the same approach with their 15s players going to sevens and then back to 15s. 

"We want the best players playing for New Zealand and we will continue to target those pinnacle events."

Three Black Ferns to watch out for

Charmaine Smith - Moore singles her out as a real talent, having crossed over from netball last year and played every test in the canada series after only six games of rugby.

Kendra Cocksedge - The beating heart of the Black Ferns at scrum-half and World Rugby Women's Player of the Year in 2015, a key woman for Moore.

Stacey Waaka - Currently injured but a real talent bursting through and with a huge 12 months ahead.