Tui left out of Black Ferns squad for Pacific Four Series
May 1 (Reuters) - Winger Ruby Tui has been left out of the Black Ferns squad for this month's Pacific Four Series, a key part of New Zealand's preparations for their Women's World Cup title defence in England later this year.
Tui, who scored five tries to help New Zealand retain the World Cup in 2022, looks to have lost out to Portia Woodman-Wickliffe after the twice World Player of the Year came out of retirement last month.
World Cup-winning fullback Renee Holmes and lock Chelsea Bremner also missed out on the 33-woman squad to play Australia, Canada and the United States on successive weekends from May 10.
"It's a tight race leading up to our World Cup campaign and we know we've had to make tough calls at this point," coach Allan Bunting said in a news release.
"I've been very impressed by the response and attitude from our players to still serve the team. Our whole group is important on this journey, there is still a bit more water to go under the bridge before we name our World Cup squad."
Fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 18, was one of three uncapped players in the squad along with powerhouse prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and hooker Vici-Rose Green.
Sevens players Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga, Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have also been called up but the latter three will not be available for the Australia test because of the LA Sevens tournament.
"It's not just about the squad of 33, this is about building a solid group of 40 plus who will be clear on how we want to be, and play come World Cup selection time," Bunting added.
New Zealand are currently ranked third in the world behind the English and Canadians and face a stiff challenge to win the World Cup for a seventh time in August and September.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
German Derby winner Palladium in action at Goodwood
The four-year-old was purchased for €1,400,000 by Lady Bamford following his Classic-winning exploits on the continent and joined Nicky Henderson, where he made one winning appearance over timber at Huntingdon before an injury ruled him out of a Cheltenham Festival bid. However, the Seven Barrows handler always had designs on returning to the level with Palladium and having swapped Lambourn for Newmarket to join John and Thady Gosden, the Clarehaven team will get their first look at the talented son of Gleneagles on the racecourse in the Listed BetGoodwin Tapster Stakes. Thady Gosden said: 'He won the German Derby and then he had a stint over the sticks, but it's great to have him back on the Flat as he was a Classic-winning three-year-old in Germany. 'Goodwood over a mile and half is a great place to start him off for the season. We'll see how he runs on Sunday and then we'll be able to make a plan for the season from there.' Palladium will be ridden by James Doyle, who added: 'I think they're due a bit of rain down at Goodwood so if that is on the easy side you would think would suit and it's a nice spare ride to pick up. 'It's always nice to ride for John and Thady and of course Lady Bamford and it's very kind of them to leg me up.' Palladium will face a total of five rivals including former Henderson stablemate Galashiels and new Gosden stablemate Military Academy. Karl Burke's Bolster, William Haggas' soft ground-loving Hamish and David Simcock's Raja Raja are also among the opposition. There is also Listed action on the card in the Weatherbys / British EBF Agnes Keyser Fillies' Stakes where a field of 12 head to post.
South Wales Argus
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Connor Roberts: Wales will go toe-to-toe with any team under Craig Bellamy
Wales boss Bellamy has overseen a dramatic improvement in fortunes since succeeding Rob Page, with the Dragons currently sitting top of their qualifying group for next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Monday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Brussels marks the 12-month anniversary of their last defeat – a 4-0 beating in Slovakia that marked the end of the Page era. Connor Roberts, left, says Wales' mindset has radically changed under Craig Bellamy (Nigel French/PA) Bellamy has embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run since taking charge – by far the best start of any Wales manager – and has promised to go on the attack against group favourites Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium. 'Yes. Straightforward answer,' Roberts said when asked if Wales were profiting from a mindset change under Bellamy. 'The manager has come in – and obviously I know him from his time at Burnley – and we will go toe-to-toe with any team. 'I'm not saying we'll win every single game but one thing is for sure, we are one as a team. Bellamy extended his unbeaten start as Wales manager to nine games on Friday (Adam Davy/PA) 'As the Wales national team, we will give everything, and do the right things to try and win every game we play.' Former Wales captain Bellamy has spoken at length about the demanding playing style he has introduced since his appointment last July. It is a high-pressing and high-energy possession game with the aim to dominate possession and win the ball back as soon as it is lost. Roberts said: 'It's massively enjoyable for everyone. None more so than me having been here quite a while, and trying to play the way I know how to after being at Burnley. 'If you win games and put in good performances you will enjoy it.' Wales moved clear at the top of Group J after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 in Cardiff on Friday. Goals from Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore completed a routine victory after Liechtenstein, ranked 205th out of the 210 teams in world football, had held out for 39 minutes. Wales hold a two-point lead from North Macedonia after taking seven points from their opening three World Cup qualifiers. Joe Rodon, centre, scored his first Wales goal against Liechtenstein (Nigel French/PA) Belgium began their campaign on Friday with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia after conceding a late equaliser. Roberts said: 'We just have to concentrate on ourselves, go into every game to try and win, and that will be exactly the same against Belgium. 'Of course it's a big switch (from playing against Liechtenstein) but we have to keep being ourselves and not change. 'Why can't we go there and dominate and put in a really good performance? That is the aim, that is the plan, and hopefully we can achieve that.'
Reuters
36 minutes ago
- Reuters
Norway dare to dream big again after a quarter century of heartbreak
June 7 (Reuters) - After a quarter of a century of near misses and heartbreak, Norway's rout of Italy in their World Cup qualifier has reignited the country's hope of a return to international football's biggest stage. There was little doubt that Norway were the better team on Friday as they easily dominated Italy in Oslo, pushing on until the scoreboard read 3-0 and taking a big step towards next year's World Cup. For supporters of the Norwegian team, the result has sparked a glimmer of hope in hearts that have been broken many times over the past decades. Norway have not participated in an international football tournament since the European Championship in 2000, which was hosted in Belgium and the Netherlands. There have been many close calls since then, with the margins consistently going against the squad, but now there is a shift in attitude after Norway dominated against the four-times world champions. "I am 100% sure", former Norway, Denmark and Iceland coach Age Hareide told newspaper VG when asked if Norway would go to the World Cup. Norway are in pole position in Group I with nine points out of nine and a goal surplus of 10. Israel, Estonia and Moldova are the other nations in the group. The Football Meets Data statistics platform gives Norway a 77% chance of winning the group and qualifying directly for the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Key striker Erling Haaland, who put himself on the scoresheet against Italy, agreed with the statistics. "We are too good not to play in championships. I will play both the World Cup and the European Championship. Not to put pressure on myself but I will," he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. While World Cup fever in Norway is reaching a point not seen since 1998, when Norway last participated, manager Stale Solbakken, wise from experience, is lowering expectations. "It is a coach's misfortune that I have to concentrate on the next match, so you can enjoy yourselves and ask those questions. I would have liked to say that it was 100% certain but I can't," he told reporters after Friday's game.
