Latest news with #AyeshaLetiIiga
RNZ News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns v Canada: Epic test ends in stalemate
Claire Gallagher of Canada is tackled by Ayesha Leti-I'iga of the Black Ferns. Photo: Photosport After 80 pulsating minutes, the Black Ferns and Canada's brutal, exhilirating, gripping battle has ended in a 27-all stalemate. Down by five with the clock in red, the Ferns threw everything at Canada, 20 nail-biting phases, Sylvia Brunt finally cracking them in the corner, leaving Ruahei Demant with a difficult shot from the sideline to win it. However, her attempt went sailing wide, the sides unable to be separated. Superstar fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee got the scoring underway after just five minutes as she found herself in space on the wing, brushing off the final defender in a slick finish in the corner. Canada struck back shortly after, DaLeaka Menin with a scorching break to make it 7-all. New Zealand then sent powerhouse winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga over in the corner before winger Asia Hogan-Rochester went in right on the siren to square things up 12-all at the break. The Ferns reclaimed the lead on the back of two surging breaks, first by Portia Woodman then a 50 metre surge by Sorensen-McGee. With all the momentum, Brunt then chipped one behind the defence for Leti-I'iga to bag her second as the hosts went ahead 19-12. The tit for tat continued,the replacement halfback sneaked her way over from the base of a ruck, but this time Julia Schell sprayed her conversion attempt as the Ferns held a two point advantage. An ill-advised run from Woodman from her own goal-line opened up the opportunity for the Canadians to go back to back and they happily accepted the invitation, Alysha Corrigan the beneficiary of some sharp hands to put Canada in front for the first time. Ruahei Demant ensured that wouldn't last long, sending a penalty through the posts to once again tie the test with 12 to play. With less than five on the clock, Shoshanah Seumanutafa scrambled over the chalk, her effort scrutinised by the TMO for a double movement but she was awarded the try which put Canada five ahead. But there was another twist to come, after a relentless period of attack, Brunt finally broke the line, leaving Demant with a corner conversion to win it. It would prove a bridge too far, and the sides shared the spoils of an epic war.
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 'really excited' ahead of Saturday showdown with Canada
New Zealand rugby player Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Black Ferns' flyer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe admits there is a mix of "excitement and nerves" as she prepares to start a new chapter with the national team. On Saturday, the 33-year-old will play her first test in almost three years after being named to start on the right wing for the Black Ferns' Pacific Four Series showdown with Canada. Last month, it was revealed she was stepping away from retirement so she could push for a third World Cup campaign. Head coach Allan Bunting confirmed Woodman-Wickliffe would line up for her 25th test at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium as the side continues its pre-tournament programme. Ayesha Leti-I'iga who donned the number 14 jersey during their win over Australia at the weekend will shift to the left wing against the Maple Leafs. Speaking to media after the team was announced on Thursday, the returning star said she was thrilled to be back. "Really excited, really nervous," she said. "I think the last time we played in Christchurch it hailed so I'm hoping, and praying to the weather gods that they'll put on an awesome game for us. "For me, I'm just really excited to be back in the black jersey again and to play alongside these girls again." It will mark her first Black Ferns' appearance since the World Cup final in 2022, in which she was forced from the field with concussion, following a head-on-head clash with English opposite Lydia Thompson. Black Ferns wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and front-rower Amy Rule. Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns Woodman-Wickcliffe's international reversal offers her an opportunity to rewrite her final act in the test arena. "I don't take anything away from my 17 minutes I had on the field and all the games leading up to that point," she said. "Yes, the concussion was really scary at the time but I was grateful for that experience. To have a World Cup at home, those memories were amazing. "And now I get this next opportunity to play for New Zealand that doesn't come round often. If this is just the start of the journey towards the World Cup then amazing, but if I don't get there, cool kei te pai." Courtesy of a phenomenal strike rate of 38 tries in 24 tests, Woodman-Wickliffe is only two five pointers away from becoming just the third Black Fern to notch up 200 test points. picture id="4LJ54J4_221029RWC21_NZLvWAL_081_JPG" crop="16x10" layout="full"] Due to her involvement at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with the sevens team, her only preparation in 15s prior to the last World Cup was a warm-up game against Japan, where Woodman-Wickcliffe ran in seven tries. "I'm grateful, I've got so much more time than last time. We've got this series, we've got the O'Reilly Cup, we've got two more camps. We've got a lot more build up and I'm going to need it," she said. It will also give her time to readjust to the outside channels, after starring in the midfield during the Blues maiden Aupiki triumph earlier this year. Her fellow Blues team-mate and Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant said she was delighted she was back in the Ferns fold. "Wherever she is on the field, she's a threat and she attracts so many defenders," she said. "She's a powerful player, she's a fast player and that's what people see, but what I've noticed is how much her rugby IQ has grown. I don't think she realises how much it's grown. "She's continuing to evolve, and she's still world-leading and world class in my opinion." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sorensen-McGee, 18, scores twice on Black Ferns debut
Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored two tries on her Test debut as New Zealand opened their Pacific Four Series campaign with a 38-12 win over Black Ferns took charge with Ayesha Leti-I'iga scoring two tries in Newcastle before 18-year-old full-back Sorensen-McGee claimed her opening gave the visitors a 19-0 lead at half-time, which they soon extended with a try from Chryss Viliko right after the Wallaroos gave themselves hope of a fightback with Eva Karpani and Ashley Marsters both getting over to cut the score to late tries from Sylvia Brunt and Sorensen-McGee ensured that the six-time world champions claimed a 28th straight Test win over their trans-Tasman champions Canada kicked off this year's Pacific Four Series with a 26-14 win over the United States last week and will visit Christchurch to face New Zealand next Saturday. Sorensen-McGee graduated to Auckland's Super Rugby Aupiki squad this year and helped the Blues retain their will hope to be selected for this year's World Cup in England from 22 August-27 September, when New Zealand will aim to claim a third straight title.
RNZ News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns defeat Wallaroos in season opener
Katelyn Vaha'akolo of the Black Ferns scores a try (file photo). Photo: Joe Toth/ActionPress The Black Ferns have kicked off their international season with a win, defeating the Wallaroos 38-12 in Newcastle. The New Zealanders were up 26-0 shortly after halftime, Australia came back strongly in the second forty, but the Ferns had already done enough to retain the Laurie O'Reilly Cup. Winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga and debutant Braxton Sorensen-McGee both bagged doubles in the victory. Relive all the action:
