Early Sports Chat for 24 July 2025
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RNZ News
18 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Black Ferns World Cup rookies keen to test themselves on the biggest stage
Kaipo Olsen-Baker of the Black Ferns with fans. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Maia Joseph and Kaipo Olsen-Baker have never been to a Rugby World Cup and it will be the biggest highlight and biggest challenge of their careers. The pair have been in camp with the Black Ferns in Wellington following last week's World Cup squad naming and with the team due to fly out to England for their title defence on 13 August, things have been getting pretty full on at training, with Joseph sporting a black eye. "I got this the first training of camp last week. So, yeah I think the intensity's definitely gone up since being named in the World Cup squad. Everyone's really hungry and excited for the first game," Joseph said. Maia Joseph playing for the Black Ferns. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 It will be the first major tournament for Joseph, Olsen-Baker and several other Black Ferns players, but there are still a large group of veterans in the World Cup squad who've either been to a previous tournament or an Olympic Games. Halfback Joseph has been learning a lot about World Cup rugby. "I've had really good conversations with Kelly Brazier . This is obviously her fourth World Cup. She's just kind of explained to us how different it is in terms of the pressure and the stakes and I guess the expectations on us as the Black Ferns. "Most of her advice has been around being present, being really in the moment. I think her missing the last World Cup, she learnt that these things are very rare to be a part of. "That's what I'm going to take into it and just try, on and off the field, to make the most of every moment over there." Olsen-Baker can barely contain her excitement at the prospect of heading to England, but she concedes there will be times it could be difficult. "Definitely being away from my family would be a huge challenge. I'm such a family person," Olsen-Baker said. "So being halfway across the world, I guess, is a big challenge, but Maya's parents and them are coming, so that's like my second family, which is nice." Kaipo Olsen-Baker of New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ For Olsen-Baker, her first World Cup appearance feels like a long time coming. She made her Black Ferns debut in 2022 but injury meant the loose forward didn't feature at the the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand (played in 2022). "Just can't wait to play some footy. I was literally watching training last week and I'm like, oh my god itchy feet. I can't wait to get back out on the field." Injury also curtailed Joseph's chances of playing at the last World Cup, but watching the Black Ferns win the title reaffirmed her desire to play at the global tournament. "I was actually at home (during the last World Cup final). I had just ruptured my ACL and I had just had surgery so I was at home watching with my mum. "I think it was really inspiring watching that game and seeing how New Zealand got behind the Black Ferns. Watching them win in front of a sold out Eden Park, that was definitely a pivotal moment in me wanting to experience the same thing. I'm just really excited to go to be honest." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Michael Bracewell looks to take opportunity for more Test cricket
New Zealand player Michael Bracewell Photo: Chris Symes / It's been a while between drinks for Michael Bracewell who is hoping to play Test match cricket again. Bracewell stayed in Zimbabwe with the Black Caps squad following their T20 Tri-Series victory. Initially just named for the T20 games, the 34 year old allrounder was added to the Test squad for the first game against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo this week following the injury to Glenn Phillips. Bracewell has played just eight tests, his last was against Sri Lanka in early 2023. If he is named in the eleven then it is likely to be as a batting allrounder. "We've got great depth particularly in the spin bowling department so I'm under no illusion that it is tough to force your way in there," Bracewell said. "But when you get an opportunity like this you want to take it with both hands." Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ With just four days between the T20 series and the first Test, Bracewell said it was important to keep things simple. "It's a pretty quick turnaround and so regardless of the format you're just trying to keep the basics of the game really simple. "Going to Test cricket you want to nail down the fundamentals of the game of getting into strong positions when you're batting and trying to be repeatable as you can with the ball. "It's probably keeping things simpler than you do in T20 cricket and it's exciting and a great challenge." Bracewell has become a white ball regular in the Black Caps squad in recent years, having played 36 T20 internationals and 34 ODI's. Following the first Test Bracewell will head to England to play for the Southern Brave in The Hundred. First Test: 30 July- 3 August Second Test: 7-11 August Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell (first Test only), Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Former All White Marco Rojas announces retirement
Marco Rojas of New Zealand All Whites. Photo: Former All Whites and Wellington Phoenix player Marco Rojas has announced his retirement from professional football. The 33-year-old New Zealand international made 155 A-League appearances over 16 years, with stints at the Phoenix, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar. He also played for clubs in Europe and South America. The All Whites winger returned to Wellington for the 2024-25 season but injuries meant he made just seven appearances before the mutual agreement to terminate his contract three months early. Earlier this month Rojas returned briefly to his former club Victory to take part in pre-season training. "Now I can put the curiosity to bed, and acknowledge that it's time for me to move on. I am ready. I will not be playing anymore week in and week out like the professionals do," Rojas told A-Leagues. "I'm yet to know what type of football I might play down the line, although I really love the idea of keeping fit for the odd charity or community game." Rojas played 45 times for the All Whites after making his debut in 2011. He won the Johnny Warren Medal following the 2012-23 A-League season. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
