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Otago Daily Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Canada rematch ‘definitely has fuelled a bit of fire'
Canadian and Black Ferns players (from left) Holly Phillips, Amy du Plessis, Emily Tuttosi, Tanya Kalounivale, Rori Wood and Ruahei Demant are ready for a big battle this afternoon. PHOTO: NEW ZEALAND RUGBY You can tell when someone is really enjoying their rugby. Black Fern Amy du Plessis had that vibe when she hit career-best form throughout the Super Rugby Aupiki season, which led to her being named Matatu player of the year. She topped the Aupiki table for carries (95) and finished second for defenders beaten (34) and fourth for metres gained (464). "I really just loved Aupiki," du Plessis told the Otago Daily Times. "I thought that it was a fun space to be a part of and I felt like I was really free. "So I'm hoping to bring that back into the Black Ferns as well and just have that spark to me that I did in Aupiki. "It's pretty easy to do that when you're playing alongside the likes of Portia [Woodman-Wickliffe], Sylvs [Brunt], Brax [Sorensen-McGee] — amazing rugby players — so just want to continue that." And she has, helping the Black Ferns get up 38-12 against the Wallaroos in their first test of the year last weekend. But the former Southland Girls' product knows they are in for another challenge against a sharp Canadian side this afternoon. Canada snatched a 22-19 victory last year — their first against the Black Ferns — to win the Pacific Four title. "It does make it a bit more of a big game. "We treat every test match kind of the same. We want to go out there, and kind of do our thing, and obviously get the results. "But yeah, definitely has fuelled a bit of fire. "I know that the girls are really pumped for it." The Black Ferns were clinical in the right parts of the field last week, and while there are always areas for improvement, they will need more of that when they face Canada, who beat the United States 26-14 two weeks ago. "They're obviously a really, really good side and they've shown that over the last two years. "For us, again we want to make sure we just focus on us . . . and when the game does open up just trying to play to the space and execute well." Du Plessis has been named to start in the No 13 jersey again and will have plenty of experience out wide with Woodman-Wickliffe named on the right wing. Du Plessis acknowledged it will be nice to be on the same side for the first time this year. "She's an elite player. Obviously been playing against her for Aupiki, it's been tough. "To have her alongside me this weekend will be awesome and can't wait to have her there and use her experience." Fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee gets another start at the back after scoring a brace on debut last week. The 18-year-old has been outstanding for the Blues in a breakout season — and continued that on the international stage. "She's a very mature player and just a great asset to our team," du Plessis said. "She's just really impressed all of us." Pacific Four Series Christchurch, 3.35pm Black Ferns: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Ayseha Leti-I'iga, Ruahei Demant, Maia Joseph, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Kennedy Tukuafu, Layla Sae, Maia Roos, Alana Bremner, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Atlanta Lolohea, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul. Canada: Julia Schell, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier, Alysha Corrigan, Claire Gallagher, Justine Pelletier, Gabrielle Senf, Karen Paquin, Fabiola Forteza, Letitia Royer, Courtney O'Donnell, Daleaka Menin, Emily Tuttosi, Brittany Kassil. Reserves: Gillian Boag, Rori Wood, Caroline Crossley, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Mckinley Hunt, Tyson Beukeboom, Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez.
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Wallaroos lift game but Black Ferns triumph again
The Black Ferns maintained their stranglehold over the Wallaroos to open the Pacific Four Series with a 38-12 victory over the hosts in Newcastle on Saturday. Doubles to winger Ayesha Leti-l'iga and exciting teenage fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee on debut, plus further five-pointers to prop Chryss Viliko and centre Sylvia Brunt, earned New Zealand their 28th victory from 28 tests against Australia. But the Wallaroos will claim a moral win of sorts after dominating much of the second half at McDonald Jones Stadium and clearly narrowing the gap on the world champions. "I'm really proud of our ladies," Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting said. "We've only been together two weeks. Obviously we were a bit rusty but there was some real good stuff there we can build off. "The Wallaroos have definitely improved." The Black Ferns thumped the Wallaroos 62-0 in Brisbane in their most recent encounter. On Saturday, the Wallaroos briefly threatened a famous triumph after pulling the deficit back to 26-12 with 15 minutes remaining through deserved second-half tries to front-rowers Eva Karpani and Ashley Masters. Jo Yapp's team were unfortunate to trail 26-0 at the break after officials missed a clear knock-on, before 18-year-old Sorenson-McGee's first try was awarded in the 38th minute. Adding to the Wallaroos' frustration was a no-try ruling against Georgina Friedrichs after TV replays showed the classy centre had won the race to a brilliant chip kick from halfback Tia Hinds to touch down. Sevens star Hinds was superb running the show for the Wallaroos, while lock Kaitlan Leaney was enormous, controlling the lineout and Australia's effective rolling maul. Bunting was delighted with Sorensen-McGee's performance on debut. "I'm proud of her. "She's been consistent right through Aupiki and into this, and we've had an eye on her for a couple of years now. "For her to go out and be her was really special." The tournament continues next Saturday with the Wallaroos facing the USA in Canberra, and the Black Ferns up against second-ranked Canada in Christchurch. Pacific Four The scores Black Ferns 38 Ayesha Leti-I'iga 2, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Chryss Viliko, Sylvia Brunt tries; Ruahei Demant 3 con, Hannah King con. Wallaroos 12 Eva Karpani, Ashley Marsters tries; Faitala Moleka con. Halftime: Black Ferns 19-0. — AAP/APL
Newsroom
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsroom
The Black Ferns' 1st-49 to retain the World Cup
The Black Ferns' defence of the Rugby World Cup in the biggest year in the history of the sport is officially underway with the announcement of a 49-strong training squad ahead of the Pacific Four series in May. The training squad provides the first clues as to what the Black Ferns selectors are thinking ahead of England in August. What's new? What's alarming? How can England, who've won 55 of their last 56 internationals, be tamed? New Blood The squad included 11 uncapped players: Mia Anderson, Taufa Bason, Laura Bayfield, Vici-Rose Green, Jaymie Kolose, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Holly-Rae Mete, Jorja Miller, Risi Pouri-Lane, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, and Tara Turner. With the loose forward department already stacked with the likes of Kennedy Tukuafu, Alana Bremner, Layla Sae, Kaipio Olsen-Baker and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, it will be tough for the excellent Anderson, Bayfield, Miller and Bason to break through. Anderson was really strong for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Aupiki, covering both Number 6 and 8. Bayfield is similarly versatile and an option at lock, too. Youth might count against Bason, but was there a more dynamic forward in Aupiki? Uncontracted at the start of the season, Bason was a force of nature by the end. Miller is the best Sevens player on the planet. If that form translates, she'd be a certain selection, somewhere. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu might be the prop the Black Ferns need. A damaging carrier, her scrum work is proficient and durable. By contrast, Santo Taumata and Awhina Tangen-Wainohu have been injury-prone. Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Chryss Viliko in tandem is a potentially mouthwatering prospect. Renne Holmes might be anxious about her place at fullback. Goal kicking counts, but Braxton Sorensen-McGee is an undeniable livewire. Mererangi Paul enjoyed an excellent 2024 and showed compelling form for Chiefs Manawa at centre. Halfback Anxiety Following the retirement of Kendra Cocksedge (68 Tests, 388 points, 54 wins) in 2022, halfback has been a position of concern. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu fell out of favour in 2023. Ariana Bayler hasn't cemented a regular spot since her debut in 2021 and played her last test in a 17-18 loss to France in 2023. Iritana Hohaia and Maia Joseph are youthful, which brings both promise and inconsistency. Joseph appears to have the inside running as the starter with six starts in eight tests in 2024. She enjoys an increasingly settled partnership with first-five Hannah King, whom she also combines with at Matatū. However, King's selection isn't guaranteed, especially if Demant chooses to reprise her role at 10, a position from which she was voted World Rugby Player of the Year in 2022. With Hohaia, there's an urgency about her game that is very appealing. She started in both the Black Ferns' best performances last year, a 67-19 slaying of Australia at North Harbour and a 39-14 thrashing of France in Vancouver. The other options at halfback are the inexperienced Tara Turner or sevens maestro Risi Pouri-Lane. A supreme playmaker, distributor and restart merchant, Pouri-Lane hasn't played 15s since leaving high school nearly a decade ago, but she might have the talent, drive and poise to cover the challenging and important position. Centres of Attention Amy du Plessis and Sylvia Brunt would have fancied their chances of casting an anchor at centre until Portia Woodman-Wickliffe reneged on her retirement. Don't forget Black Ferns Sevens powerhouse Kelsey Teneti and double World Champion Stacey Waaka, with 25 Tests, 19 wins and 11 tries, are strong contenders too. Woodman-Wickliffe's comeback announcement is the biggest news in women's rugby this year. Why the World Cup's all-time leading try scorer has returned has been covered at length by other media. A more prudent question is what Woodman-Wickliffe's return looks like? For a start, Woodman-Wickliffe has said she wants to play centre, where she made such a big impression for Super Rugby Aupiki champions, the Blues. She hasn't played centre for the Black Ferns since 2016, but she did score three tries in a 38-8 win over Ireland and has a clear vision of her game. 'Amy has great line speed, defense, and ball skills. Sylvia is similar. She loves to smash people. What do I offer? Speed and power; not much ball game, but I'm growing,' Woodman-Wickliffe said. Brunt and Theresa Setefano, 18-0 in her career, could partner Woodman-Wickliffe in midfield. However, Woodman-Wickliffe stressed her chemistry with Ruahei Demant was essential in the Blues' success. 'Ruahei has so much knowledge, knows how to put everyone in a hole, and she communicates. She understands my strengths and what doesn't work.' Woodman-Wickliffe was knocked out in the 17th minute of the 2022 Rugby World Cup final. She says that the incident played no part in her decision to return. 'I'm still grateful for that experience. I get asked, 'Do you feel like you were ripped off?' No, I don't. I was a part of the game. I made a couple of breaks. Did my injury help the game? I don't know, but it was an amazing game and tournament to be a part of.' Playing ourselves The biggest difficulty in gauging what shape the Black Ferns are in is that they spend so much time essentially playing themselves. Even innovative training can't disguise the shortage of competitive matches or fully measure their strength against legitimate rivals that now include Ireland and Canada, who beat the Black Ferns last year. Before 2022, the Black Ferns were a long way behind England. The same is true in 2025. The Red Roses have won 25 consecutive Test matches, including three wins against New Zealand by a combined score of 106-55. England has evolved from the clinically dour outfit that won 30 games in a row from 2019 to 2022 to a side that now balances renowned forward dominance with genuine attacking flair. When England beat the Black Ferns 49-31 in Vancouver in October 2024, all nine tries were scored by outside backs. Dazzling fullback Ellie Kildunne has scored tries in their past five tests against New Zealand. Scarily, England have used their Six Nations campaign to build 'two squads.' Coach John Mitchell changed 13 players after a 38-5 win over Italy, and those new selections slayed Wales 67-12. They held out a remarkable France comeback to win the match 43-42 and the Six Nations title at the weekend. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe addressed the challenge of England by stressing the Black Ferns have to work 'with their own strengths.' 'It is scary, they've been on a winning streak, their players have been around, they are fully professional, they are playing some amazing rugby but I like a challenge and I think a lot of the girls in our environment like that challenge as well. 'We're not going to give up, we're not going to bow down to anyone, we're going to give it our best crack.' Ruby Tui told Aotearoa Rugby Pod: 'It's going to be something new, and some people could be like 'oh, it's a bit late to have something new', but hey, it does work. We had even less time last time. 'So I think the new ideas, the key is that no one in the world has seen them yet. We've been working on a couple of things, and obviously, you've got to be smart about what you're releasing.' Pacific Four Series v Canada, Saturday 17 May, 3.35pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch v USA, Saturday 24 May, 3.35pm, North Harbour Stadium, Albany O'Reilly Cup v Australia, Saturday 12 July, 4.30pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington
NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Ferns World Cup squad battle begins with 49-player camp
Grace Brooker was keeping her options open, but the coaches have now decided that it will be an AFL, not a Black Fern contract. Patricia Maliepo, meanwhile, is off to the Warriors while Rosie Kelly has signed a three-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. Last Aupiki season's star halfback, Kahlia Awa, is not one of the four halfbacks named and now may think about giving the Central Pulse a call. Most disappointing of all is the fate of Monica Tagoai. The midfielder was about to put pen to paper to finalise her transfer to Samoa when the Black Ferns came calling. Just one match off the bench last year was not enough to secure her spot at this camp, but it was just enough to prevent her from appearing for the Manusina in their first World Cup since 2014. As always in the world of sport, for every tale of heartbreak, there is another of triumph. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu and Santo Taumata were the bolters into the last World Cup side before being sidelined with serious injuries. Their return is a testament to the grit they will now need in the contest ahead. Mia Anderson missed out on the end-of-year tour and an Aupiki final for the first time with her Chiefs Manawa teammates. Despite these setbacks, her strong individual performance was enough to secure a second look. Kelly Brazier may yet have her shot at a fairytale finish. She was denied one last year after being named a non-travelling reserve for the Black Ferns Sevens Olympic squad. Brazier watched Portia Woodman-Wickliffe announce her retirement while she had been planning her own. Now the old teammates are back in the mix and could see this last major event out together. For Brazier, it would be a particularly poetic bookend, her final World Cup like her first, playing in England. Kelly Brazier in action for the Chiefs Manawa against Hurricanes Poua. Photo / Photosport Much has been written of the sevens stars attempting to wrestle a spot off their 15s counterparts. However, there are also seven uncapped players making their way into this camp. Vici-Rose Green and Laura Bayfield have been rewarded for diligent Aupiki performances. At the same time, Tara Turner and Holly-Rae Mete's inclusions are perhaps examples of future planning. Taufa Bason, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu have fast become fan favourites. They will want to ride that hype train all the way to the World Cup. It's just the first camp and already big calls have been made. More are still to come with just four international tests and four months to go until we head north. Within this list of 49 are those who will defend the World Cup trophy. The clock is ticking, game on. Alice Soper is a sports columnist for the Herald on Sunday. A former provincial rugby player and current club coach, she has a particular interest in telling stories of the emerging world of women's sports.
1News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe steps out of retirement for Rugby World Cup
Black Ferns legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has announced she is coming out of international retirement as she eyes a third Rugby World Cup campaign. The 33-year-old has signed an eight-month contract with New Zealand Rugby fresh off her title-winning Super Rugby Aupiki campaign with the Blues. Woodman-Wickliffe had retired from international rugby after winning gold at Paris Olympics last year but had a change of heart midway through the Aupiki season. "By week three of Aupiki I was at 50% of my decision. Each week in campaign I thought about the possibility of how I could potentially go to the World Cup more and more," she said in a statement. "I thought about what it would mean to me but most importantly my whānau. I needed time to process everything and making myself available for this team is where I've landed." Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said Woodman-Wickliffe was an "exceptional human" and would enhance the team environment. "Her natural ability to inspire others, her amazing athleticism, knowledge of the game and skillset will have a huge influence on all those around here. I'm really looking forward to seeing her contribution to the team." New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said it was "really exciting news in a pinnacle year for women's rugby". "Portia is a true great of the game in both XVs and sevens. Her experience, talent and high standards will add an extra edge to the Black Ferns environment." Woodman-Wickliffe has signed an eight-month contract and is set to join the Black Ferns in their first assembly this weekend.
