Latest news with #BraxtonSorensenMcGee
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
NZ and Canada tie thriller in Pacific Four series
New Zealand and Canada tied 27-27 in a thrilling second round of the Pacific Four series in Christchurch. Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who scored two tries on her debut in last week's opening match against Australia, began the scoring for the world champion Black Ferns in the sixth champions Canada responded almost immediately through DaLeaka Menin's converted try and the teams were level at 12-12 at half-time. The scoring continued to fluctuate after the break, with Ayesha Leti-l'iga adding her second try for New Zealand before Alysha Corrigan and Olivia Apps touched down for Canada. Shoshanah Seumanutafa then gave Canada a 27-22 lead after 77 minutes but Julia Schell missed the conversion, allowing Sylvia Brunt's 83rd-minute try for the Black Ferns to level the scores. But Ruahei Demant also missed her kick to squander New Zealand's last-gasp winning opportunity. In Canberra, Australia comfortably beat USA 27-19 to get their first win of the series. Hope Rogers scored all three of USA's tries, including the opener, but scores from Eva Karpani, Ashley Masters and Charlotte Caslick saw Australia pull ahead 19-14 at added her second shortly after half-time and the Wallaroos held on for victory. The series concludes with Australia facing Canada on Friday 23 May and New Zealand taking on USA the following teams are preparing for the World Cup in England which starts on 22 August, when New Zealand will aim to claim a third straight title.
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
14-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe selected for first Black Ferns' test in three years
New Zealand rugby player Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Black Ferns star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is set to play her first international for the side since the 2022 World Cup final. Woodman-Wickliffe, who came out of retirement earlier this year, has been named on the wing for Saturday's Pacific Four Series game against Canada in Christchurch. Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said he was thrilled to have Woodman-Wickliffe back in the black jersey. "I'm really excited for Portia to again represent her country in front of friends and whānau, it will be a special moment for her. It's been awesome seeing the joy in her eyes and everything she does to enhance our environment. "Her willingness to learn and grow is contagious; we look forward to seeing her play this weekend against Canada," Bunting said. Woodman-Wickliffe is also two tries away from reaching 200 points in a Black Ferns Test match to become only the third Black Fern to reach that milestone. There are three changes to the 15 who started in last weekend's 38-12 win over Australia in Newcastle. Amy Rule starts at prop, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u at number 8 and Woodman-Wickliffe on the right wing. Ayesha Leti-l'iga moves from the right wing to the left. Following her stellar two-try debut last Saturday, rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee returns for another week at fullback. Canada is currently ranked second in the world and secured their first-ever win over the Black Ferns (22-19) in Christchurch last year, which saw them claim the PAC4 2024 title. Braxton Sorensen-McGee of the Black Ferns scores a try during the Pacific Four Test Series match against the Wallaroos, 2025. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Black Ferns v Canada May 17, 3:35pm Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. 1. Chryss Viliko 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Amy Rule 4. Alana Bremner 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 6. Layla Sae 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain) 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 9. Maia Joseph 10. Ruahei Demant (Co-captain) 11. Ayesha Leti-I'iga 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt 13. Amy du Plessis 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee 16. Atlanta Lolohea 17. Kate Henwood 18. Tanya Kalounivale 19. Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu 20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker 21. Iritana Hohaia 22. Hannah King 23. Mererangi Paul
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:
