Black Ferns World Cup squad: Few surprises but no room for Ruby
Despite a call up for the Black Ferns' last Test, Ruby Tui has missed out on a place in the highly competitive outside back group.
Unsurprisingly, all available Black Ferns Sevens players have been selected, with Jorja Miller's inclusion creating an intriguing situation in the loose forward mix. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu is seemingly assured of a starting spot, so how Miller fits in the remaining starting spots will be interesting.
Thirty-five-year-old Kelly Brazier will play in her fourth World Cup after earning a late lifeline against the Wallaroos earlier this month, which was her first Test since 2021. Brazier – who has played 44 tests across a 16-year career – could be playing her fifth World Cup but missed the 2022 tournament due to being in the Black Ferns Sevens side.
Lock Laura Bayfield makes the squad after debuting earlier this month, she joins Maiakawanakaulani Roos, and Alana and Chelsea Bremner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ruby Tui. (Source: Photosport)
Fellow Sevens stars Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano (Fitzpatrick) and Stacey Waaka return for their third World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe wasn't even supposed to be available after retiring last year and then signalling intentions to play in the NRLW, however the lure of the black jersey and another title has proven be too strong.
Tukuafu is joined in the leadership by Ruahei Demant, with the Blues first five coming off back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles.
This will be a challenging campaign for the Black Ferns, with England hot favourites going into their home World Cup. The tournament kicks off on August 23 when the hosts take on USA in the tournament opener, with the Black Ferns facing Spain, Japan and Ireland in their pool matches.
Black Ferns Rugby World Cup 2025 squad
Loosehead props: Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko
Hookers: Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby
ADVERTISEMENT
Tighthead props: Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule
Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos
Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (cc)
Halfbacks: Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
First five-eighths: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant (cc)
Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka
Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
ADVERTISEMENT
Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray
Black Ferns World Cup schedule
Black Ferns v Spain
Kick-off: 4.30am Sunday, August 24
York Community Stadium, York
Black Ferns v Japan
Kick-off: 1am Sunday, August 31
ADVERTISEMENT
Sandy Park, Exeter
Black Ferns v Ireland
Kick-off: 1.45am Sunday, September 7
Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton
Quarter-finals: September 14-15
Semi-finals: September 20-21
Final: September 28
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Another Black Ferns player signs with English club
Georgia Ponsonby (R) of New Zealand celebrates her try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Hooker Georgia Ponsonby has become the second Black Ferns forward to sign with English Premiership team Trailfinders Women from after this year's Rugby World Cup. She joins fellow Black Ferns squad member and fellow World Cup winner Alana Borland in signing with the London based club for the 2025/2026 Premiership season. "We are delighted to announce the signing of Black Fern, Georgia Ponsonby," Trailfinders women said in a statement. "A Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand and a standout performer across both domestic and international competition, Ponsonby arrives in West London as one of the most complete forwards in the global game - a relentless ball carrier, defensive rock, and razor-sharp operator in the breakdown. "Her athleticism makes her a nightmare for opposition defences and a dream for the coaching staff. Named in World Rugby's Women's XV Dream Team in 2023, Ponsonby's impact speaks for itself - a player whose work rate and physicality set the tone, and whose presence lifts those around her. Alana Borland. Photo: Photosport / Paul Yates "With big-game pedigree and a clear hunger to keep evolving, she joins fellow Black Fern Alana Borland in making the switch to Trailfinders and will add a real edge to an already ambitious group," the statement said. Ponsonby said she's looking forward to playing and living in the UK. "I'm stoked to be joining Trailfinders. It's an evolving team with exciting talent and a great culture. "Being based in London adds to the excitement, and I'm looking forward to enjoying everything the club and city has to offer." Georgia Ponsonby in the Black Ferns v Australia Walloroos match at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, in May 2024. Photo: Photosport Trailfinders head coach Barney Maddison said the two Black Ferns will strengthen his squad. "Georgia is a world-class rugby player, and we're thrilled to bring her into the environment. "She's a proven high performer whose experience with the Black Ferns will add some real value to the group. "Georgia also has a fantastic connection with Alana [Borland], and I'm excited to see that relationship brought over here to Trailfinders."
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Hot form has veteran Suzie Bates excited about her future
Suzie Bates of Durham Photo: ACTION FOTO SPORT / AFP A successful stint in England has White Ferns veteran Suzie Bates confident she still has something to offer the game. Bates has just finished playing for Durham in the ECB's new domestic women's competition this year where the eight top division teams were all fully professional. The 37 year old was Durham's first ever women's overseas player and helped the club to mid-table finishes in both the T20 and 50-over competitions in their inaugural season. During her stint Bates became the oldest player to score a century in their 50-over competition. She smashed 163 off 140 balls against Somerset, her 29th century in List A cricket. She was also the leading run-scorer in the T20 Blast and averaged 52 in the 50-over game. Bates told RNZ it was a real boost at an important time on her career. "When you get a bit older and lose a bit of form you do start to wonder if you're near the end, but if you're scoring runs and your body and mind are good then you want to keep going," Bates said. She has just arrived back in New Zealand and will now start preparing for the World Cup in India in October. "(The 163) was a perfect way to end the season and it was nice to leave on a good note. "Leading into a 50-over World Cup to have a score like that under my belt and, more importantly, to spend that amount of time out in the middle really helps when you have a big tournament coming up." Since making her debut for Otago in 2002 and the White Ferns in 2006, Bates has played in most of the cricketing nations around the world. New Zealand's Suzie Bates Photo: Kerry Marshall/ When the opportunity came up to return to England this year she didn't hesitate. It also meant she didn't have to spend all of the New Zealand winter just training and instead got to be out in the middle playing cricket. She said Durham (and its director of cricket, the former Australian international Marcus North) were keen to have an experienced player to help, especially with some of their players 20 years younger than her. "The fact that I've played for a long time and probably seen it all in women's cricket was an appeal for the club." Bates, the most capped New Zealand women cricketer with 348, said she didn't really coach, but hoped that she was more of a role model for the younger players "In all my leadership roles during my career I've gone by the motto 'Do as I do not what I say'. "I find it difficult to tell players what to do; it's more about being in the middle and discussing options. I try not to give younger players too much advice." Bates has scored 4716 runs in T20 internationals, the most of any female cricketer. She has scored more than 10,000 white ball runs for New Zealand The White Ferns will head to the UAE in September for warmup matches before the World Cup in India in October.
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
'Tried to follow him' - All Blacks' 'bolter' Parker on his enforcer idol
New All Blacks squad member Simon Parker has spoken about how he "zoned out" when head coach Scott Robertson told him the news of his selection, the haka his Northland teammates gave in celebration, and the loose forward enforcer he has modelled his game on. While four uncapped players were named in Robertson's wider Rugby Championship squad yesterday, Parker is the only one to feature in the main squad, an indication as to how highly regarded he is by the selectors. The others, prop Tevita Mafileo, halfback Kyle Preston and utility back Leroy Carter have been named as injury cover and may be used more in a training capacity in the short term, including in Argentina, although Preston is a possibility to play in Cordoba or Buenos Aires due to the injuries to Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham. Parker, 25, was not named for last month's three-Test series against France, probably because of an ankle injury suffered in the Chiefs' qualifier loss to the Blues in June, but he started at No.8 for Northland in their Ranfurly Shield defeat to Taranaki at the weekend and clearly the selectors have seen enough. It is not difficult to see the appeal. At 1.97m and about 120kg, Parker is a big man and plays like one, with the added advantage of being mobile enough to play in the outside channels. ADVERTISEMENT Robertson has made no secret of wanting big and powerful forwards to combat the giants roaming the fields of South Africa, France, Ireland and England and a peculiarity of his squad is the fact all of those at the front of the queue for the No.6 jersey - Parker, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau and to a lesser extent Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson - represent the Chiefs. Robertson will likely see Parker as a medium-to-long-term project who could start to properly deliver during next year's arduous tour of South Africa ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Jerome Kaino goes on the charge against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park in 2017. (Source: Photosport) Parker's physical dimensions make him slightly bigger than former All Blacks legend Jerome Kaino, one of the best blindside flankers to represent New Zealand and a man successive head coaches have failed to replace since he stepped down in 2017. Parker is 1cm taller than Kaino and about 10kg heavier. It is important to remember that the former Blues man was a late developer – more evidence that Parker should be handled carefully and with patience, but Robertson's comment yesterday that the loose forward is "intimidating" is yet another plus and a nod to Kaino. 'I tried in a way to follow in the footsteps of Jerome Kaino because of the physical presence he was,' Parker told 1News today. 'I love the contact side of the game and I just try to get involved as much as I can.' One of the more memorable moments of Robertson's squad announcement yesterday was his explaining the conversation with Parker when he broke the news. ADVERTISEMENT Parker told him he didn't know what to say and so the man known as Razor responded with "don't worry, I'll do the talking for you". It was an account confirmed today by Parker at Northland's training base in Whangārei. Parker said he was in a team review meeting when Robertson rang. 'When I saw I missed his call I started shaking and when I called him I started apologising. He said 'no, it's all good news, mate. Congratulations and welcome to the All Blacks'. 'I zoned out for about 10 seconds, to be honest. I went back and said, 'thanks very much, sorry I haven't got much to say, I'm a bit overwhelmed'. Simon Parker is tackled during the Chiefs' loss to the Blues in June - a match in which he injured an ankle. (Source: Photosport) He said after calling his wife and parents to tell them the news he was greeted with a haka by his teammates. ADVERTISEMENT 'I haven't had too many haka done for me and so to see that done by many guys who I grew up with was pretty special,' he said. Parker will travel to Argentina with several other squad members after playing for Northland against Southland in Whangārei on Friday. The first Test is in Cordoba on August 17 and the second is a week later in Buenos Aires. 'I'm probably the one taking the credit but I couldn't have done it without my family,' he said. 'There is a geographical challenge to playing sport up here. I'm thankful to everyone who has put time into me. 'Sitting on the bank at Okara Park and watching the human highlight reel [and former Northland All Black] Rene Ranger going about his business was pretty cool. Hopefully I can inspire others by showing it can be done.' The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the West Auckland builder sentenced over massive meth haul, fire on a commuter train, and how Bluey could teach kids about resilience. (Source: 1News) All Blacks squad for Rugby Championship ADVERTISEMENT The squad is as follows: (age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps) * denotes new caps Hookers: Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 98), Samisoni Taukei'aho (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 33), Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs / Canterbury, 1). Props: Ethan de Groot (27, Highlanders / Southland, 32), Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 18), Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 2), Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes / Tasman, 45), Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 25), Pasilio Tosi (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 9). Locks: Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 81) (Captain), Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 55), Tupou Vaa'i (25, Chiefs / Taranaki, 40), Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders / Otago, 3). Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 11), Simon Parker (25, Chiefs / Northland, *), Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 97) (Vice-Captain), Du'Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3), Wallace Sititi (22, Chiefs / North Harbour, 10), Peter Lakai (22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3), Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 24). Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 14), Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 12), Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 2). ADVERTISEMENT First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 136), Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 64). Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 85), Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 71) (Vice-Captain), Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 16), Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4), Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders / Tasman, 2). Outside backs: Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 83), Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 29), Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 34), Emoni Narawa (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3), Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 44), Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 2). Injury cover George Bower (33, Crusaders / Otago, 23) for Tamaiti Williams, Tevita Mafileo (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *) for Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord (24, Chiefs / Taranaki, 7) for Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie (29, Blues / Tasman, 23) for Cameron Roigard/Noah Hotham, Kyle Preston (25, Crusaders / Wellington, *) for Cameron Roigard/Noah Hotham, Leroy Carter (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, *) for Caleb Clarke. Unavailable due to injury: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Asafo Aumua, Stephen Perofeta.
