Rugby-Woodman-Wickliffe off to third World Cup with Black Ferns, Tui omitted
WELLINGTON (Reuters) -Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was selected by New Zealand for her third women's World Cup on Friday, headlining an experienced Black Ferns squad packed with players who won the last edition of the global showpiece.
The prolific try-scoring winger, who came out of retirement in April for a tilt at a third-straight world title, will be joined in England by centres Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka, who were also part of the triumphant 2017 and 2022 squads.
Kelly Brazier, who was part of the champion 2010 and 2017 squads but missed out on the 2022 triumph, won a recall at the age of 35 for her fourth World Cup as a backup to flyhalf Ruahei Demant.
Demant will co-captain the squad with loose forward Kennedy Tukuafu, who was included despite missing two matches this month because of a knee injury.
There was no place in the 32-woman squad for Ruby Tui, however, despite the winger having been the face of the 2022 tournament on home soil.
Woodman-Wickliffe, teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ayesha Leti-I'iga and fullback Renee Holmes were instead selected as the outside backs.
"I'd like to acknowledge the players who have missed out. Their contribution to the black jersey and to our team this year has been immense," said head coach Allan Bunting.
"The level of depth and internal competition we have seen from our wider squad made the selection process very difficult, however this speaks to the growth and exciting future of women's rugby in Aotearoa."
Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Katelyn Vahaakolo are among 14 players who will be playing in their first World Cup.
Setefano and Waaka were among seven players from New Zealand's sevens programme who made themselves available for the World Cup in March with scrumhalf Risi Pouri-Lane and flanker Jorja Miller, the others who made the cut.
The Black Ferns, ranked third in the world behind hosts England and Canada, kick off their bid for a sixth world title against Spain in York on August 24 and also play Ireland and Japan in Pool C.
Squad:
Forwards - Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule, Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu
Backs - Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka, Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Jamie Freed)
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