Latest news with #AllanBunting
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Coach keen to see how debutantes do in US clash
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has pulled the trigger on testing his newcomers in a must-win clash against the United States. Otago halfback Maia Joseph moves to the bench with Black Ferns sevens star Risaleaana Pouri-Lane getting her chance in the No 9 jersey. Sevens team-mate Jorja Miller will inject plenty of speed around the breakdown in her first start on the openside, and Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka — who played at the Rugby World Cup in 2021 — make up the midfield. Chiefs Manawa front-rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green are also in line for their first tests. Joseph is joined on the bench by Matatu team-mates Hannah King and Chelsea Bremner — who was called in as injury cover — while Alana Bremner, Kaipo-Olsen Baker and Georgia Ponsonby, playing her 30th test, get the start. Young Braxton Sorensen-McGee gets her third consecutive start at fullback in a breakout year, Katelyn Vahaakolo returns to the left wing and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is on the other. Sylvia Brunt will make her impact off the bench, as will co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, in her 30th game. Bunting said it would be a special moment to welcome four debutantes this weekend. "Veisinia and Vici-Rose have been with us since our first training camp," Bunting said. "They have worked hard and done the learning, while showing their commitment to the team by helping them prepare for the last two tests. It's now their time. "Jorja and Risaleaana, who joined us last week following their successful sevens World Series campaign, have slotted in seamlessly. "They are great humans and diligent athletes. We look forward to watching them do their thing this weekend." The Black Ferns scored a last-gasp try against Canada last week to settle for a 27-27 draw in their second Pacific Four series clash. It sets up an intriguing finish for the series, where the Black Ferns at present lead the standings on points difference. The Black Ferns will face a gritty United States side, who are winless after their 27-19 loss to the Wallaroos last weekend. They earlier lost 26-14 to Canada. United States star Ilona Maher — the most followed rugby player online — has made the switch to rugby union after winning bronze with the sevens team at the Olympics last year and is sure to draw a crowd at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow. Bunting felt the Canada clash was a good challenge for his side to tidy up areas they needed to be better in and was confident in how they were tracking ahead of the World Cup later in the year. "Pac four has been a valuable start for us moving into World Cup preparations. We've laid down the foundations and built stronger connections on and off the field."
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Sevens stars to feature in Black Ferns' Pacific Four decider
Jorja Miller of New Zealand scores a try. Photo: AAP / Four debutantes, including two sevens stars, have been named in the Black Ferns line-up for their last Pacific Four (PAC4) game against the US in Albany on Saturday. Olympic gold medal winning sevens players Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane will start at openside flanker and half-back respectively. Chiefs Manawa front rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green are the other two debutantes, with Mahutariki-Fakalelu starting and Green on the bench. There are eight changes to the starting XV from the side that drew with Canada last weekend. In the front row, prop Mahutariki-Fakalelu will start alongside Kate Henwood and hooker Georgia Ponsonby who celebrates her 30th Test milestone. Miller, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and Kaipo Olsen-Baker form the loose-forward trio. Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka combine in the midfield for their first test since starring in the Rugby World Cup Final in 2022, while there is an all-Blues back three of Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of the Black Ferns in action against Canada, 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said he was excited to provide them with the opportunity. "We are delighted to see our four players get a chance to don this black jersey for the first time. This is going to be a special moment for them to play in front of their whānau and friends. Veisinia and Vici-Rose have been with us since our first training camp. They have worked hard and done the learning, while showing their commitment to the team by helping them prepare for the last two Tests. It's now their time. "Jorja and Risaleaana, who joined us last week following their successful sevens World Series campaign, have slotted in seamlessly. They are great humans and diligent athletes, we look forward to watching them do their thing this weekend." The Black Ferns currently lead the PAC4 standings on points difference from Canada. Canada play Australia in the other game this weekend. 1. Kate Henwood 2. Georgia Ponsonby 4. Alana Bremner 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker 10. Ruahei Demant (cc) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo 12. Theresa Setefano 13. Stacey Waaka 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee 17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu 18. Tanya Kalounivale 19. Chelsea Bremner 20. Kennedy Tukuafu (cc) 21. Maia Joseph 22. Hannah King 23. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: World Champion Black Ferns all the better for Canada draw
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting Photo: Photosport Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting believes the side are building nicely for their Women's World Cup title defence despite being held to a 27-all draw by Canada in a Pacific Four clash at the weekend. The Black Ferns had been desperate for a win in Christchurch on Saturday to avenge their first ever loss to the Canadians in last year's Pacific Four and confirm that they were on the right track for the 22 August to 27 September World Cup. Canada, who are ranked second in the world behind World Cup hosts England and ahead of New Zealand, created problems early on for the Black Ferns with their big ball-runners, and went ahead with a Shoshanah Seumanutafa try four minutes from time. Centre Sylvia Brunt crashed over the line after multiple phases to level the scores after 83 minutes but flyhalf Ruahei Demant was unable to slot the conversion from the sidelines to give New Zealand the win. Bunting was delighted with the way the team rescued the draw even if he thought they had enough chances to put the game to bed earlier in the match. "Just that intent and effort from our ladies was outstanding, we've just got to be a bit better at execution," Bunting told reporters. "Canada's a quality side and once they got going, they're pretty hard to stop. The speed of the ball was pretty hard, and we need to react a little bit quicker. "We needed that test now and we'll get some pretty good learnings out of this. We'll definitely be better for it." New Zealand winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga scored tries either side of halftime and Bunting said he would be bringing in some players recruited from the Sevens programme for the final Pacific Four test against the United States next week. The ninth-ranked Americans lost 27-19 to Australia in Canberra on Saturday and will be without veteran centre Alev Kelter for the clash in Auckland. Kelter faces a lengthy ban after being shown a red card for stamping on the head of Australia's Georgie Friedrichs while trying to break free of a tackle, an act described by referee Aimee Barrett-Theron as "thuggery". -Reuters
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Coach thinks world champion Black Ferns will be better for Canada draw
New Zealand coach Allan Bunting said he thought the Black Ferns were building nicely for their Women's World Cup title defence despite being held to a 27-27 draw by Canada in a Pacific Four clash at the weekend. The Black Ferns had been desperate for a win in Christchurch on Saturday to avenge their first ever loss to the Canadians in last year's Pacific Four and confirm that they were on the right track for the August 22 to September 27 World Cup. Canada, who are ranked second in the world behind World Cup hosts England and ahead of New Zealand, created problems early on for the Black Ferns with their big ball-runners, and went ahead with a Shoshanah Seumanutafa try four minutes from time. Centre Sylvia Brunt crashed over the line after multiple phases to level the scores after 83 minutes but flyhalf Ruahei Demant was unable to slot the conversion from the sidelines to give New Zealand the win. Bunting was delighted with the way the team rescued the draw even if he thought they had enough chances to put the game to bed earlier in the match. "Just that intent and effort from our ladies was outstanding, we've just got to be a bit better at execution," Bunting told reporters. "Canada's a quality side and once they got going, they're pretty hard to stop. The speed of the ball was pretty hard, and we need to react a little bit quicker. "We needed that test now and we'll get some pretty good learnings out of this. We'll definitely be better for it." New Zealand winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga scored tries either side of halftime and Bunting said he would be bringing in some players recruited from the Sevens programme for the final Pacific Four test against the United States next week. The ninth-ranked Americans lost 27-19 to Australia in Canberra on Saturday and will be without veteran centre Alev Kelter for the clash in Auckland. Kelter faces a lengthy ban after being shown a red card for stamping on the head of Australia's Georgie Friedrichs while trying to break free of a tackle, an act described by referee Aimee Barrett-Theron as "thuggery". REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
19-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Coach thinks world champion Black Ferns will be better for Canada draw
New Zealand coach Allan Bunting said he thought the Black Ferns were building nicely for their Women's World Cup title defence despite being held to a 27-27 draw by Canada in a Pacific Four clash at the weekend. The Black Ferns had been desperate for a win in Christchurch on Saturday to avenge their first ever loss to the Canadians in last year's Pacific Four and confirm that they were on the right track for the August 22 to September 27 World Cup. Canada, who are ranked second in the world behind World Cup hosts England and ahead of New Zealand, created problems early on for the Black Ferns with their big ball-runners, and went ahead with a Shoshanah Seumanutafa try four minutes from time. Centre Sylvia Brunt crashed over the line after multiple phases to level the scores after 83 minutes but flyhalf Ruahei Demant was unable to slot the conversion from the sidelines to give New Zealand the win. Bunting was delighted with the way the team rescued the draw even if he thought they had enough chances to put the game to bed earlier in the match. "Just that intent and effort from our ladies was outstanding, we've just got to be a bit better at execution," Bunting told reporters. "Canada's a quality side and once they got going, they're pretty hard to stop. The speed of the ball was pretty hard, and we need to react a little bit quicker. "We needed that test now and we'll get some pretty good learnings out of this. We'll definitely be better for it." New Zealand winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga scored tries either side of halftime and Bunting said he would be bringing in some players recruited from the Sevens programme for the final Pacific Four test against the United States next week. The ninth-ranked Americans lost 27-19 to Australia in Canberra on Saturday and will be without veteran centre Alev Kelter for the clash in Auckland. Kelter faces a lengthy ban after being shown a red card for stamping on the head of Australia's Georgie Friedrichs while trying to break free of a tackle, an act described by referee Aimee Barrett-Theron as "thuggery".
