Latest news with #Brunt
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Noble Investment Group acquires 16 WoodSpring Suites hotels
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Noble Investment Group acquired 16 WoodSpring Suites hotels, an extended stay brand under Choice Hotels International, the Atlanta-based real estate investment firm announced Wednesday. Noble did not share terms of the deal, and did not immediately respond to a Hotel Dive request for comment. Noble said the acquisitions, which occurred through two portfolio transactions, further advance its platform of branded extended stay hotels — 'an asset class at the convergence of hospitality, mobility, and America's accelerating demand for flexible, cost-efficient living solutions.' The firm is no stranger to the brand, having previously snapped up a multiproperty portfolio of WoodSpring Suites in 2023. Noble Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer Ben Brunt said the acquisitions are part of the firm's bid to scale 'a high-margin, service-light platform that delivers brand-backed reliability without the burden of traditional leases.' Noble has a $6 billion portfolio in the U.S., including properties under multiple hotel companies' extended stay brands. The firm called its extended stay platform 'purpose-built for today's evolving economy.' Last year, the firm announced a $1 billion final close for its Noble Hospitality Fund V, a real estate fund focused on investments in select-service and extended stay hotels. In 2023, Noble acquired a 10-hotel portfolio of WoodSpring Suites properties across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. At the time, the company said it had acquired 48 hotels in the select-service and extended stay spaces over the prior two years. 'It became clear, as we moved through the pandemic, that the [extended stay] segment of the hospitality business, specifically the economy and midscale segments, were the most resilient from an occupancy standpoint, and it has the potential, if properly run, to be the most profitable segment relative to gross operating profit margins,' Brunt told Hotel Dive in 2023. Noble has also built multiple properties under Marriott International's StudioRes extended stay brand, which launched in 2023. Select-service and extended stay hotels 'dominated' in terms of hotel transactions closed in the first quarter of 2025, according to JLL. The segment is poised for investment wins this year given its 'durable returns in a volatile market,' JLL reported earlier this year. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Otago Daily Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Black Ferns' epic test ends in stalemate
Sylvia Brunt scores a try for the Black Ferns against Canada. After 80 pulsating minutes, the Black Ferns and Canada's brutal and gripping battle ended in a 27-all stalemate. Down by five with the clock in red, the Ferns threw everything at Canada, 20 nail-biting phases in Christchurch on Saturday, Sylvia Brunt finally cracking them in the corner, leaving Ruahei Demant with a difficult shot from the sideline to win it. But her attempt went sailing wide, the sides unable to be separated. Superstar fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee got the scoring under way 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. 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.
Otago Daily Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Epic test ends in stalemate
Sylvia Brunt scores a try for the Black Ferns against Canada. After 80 pulsating minutes, the Black Ferns and Canada's brutal and gripping battle ended in a 27-all stalemate. Down by five with the clock in red, the Ferns threw everything at Canada, 20 nail-biting phases in Christchurch on Saturday, Sylvia Brunt finally cracking them in the corner, leaving Ruahei Demant with a difficult shot from the sideline to win it. But her attempt went sailing wide, the sides unable to be separated. Superstar fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee got the scoring under way 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. 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.
1News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Black Ferns v Canada: Epic test ends in stalemate
After 80 pulsating minutes, the Black Ferns and Canada's brutal, exhilarating, gripping battle has ended in a 27-all stalemate this afternoon at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. 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 sailed 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.
Toronto Star
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Late try gives New Zealand a 27-27 tie with Canada in Pacific Four Series rugby
CHRISTCHURCH - Sylvia Brunt scored with the clock in the red as reigning World Cup champion New Zealand rallied for a 27-27 tie with Canada in Pacific Four Series women's rugby play Saturday. Black Ferns fly half Ruahei Demant had a chance to win it but missed a difficult conversion from the sideline. It was a pulsating ending to a hard-fought game, with the Black Ferns' final attack lasting more than 20 phases — blunted repeatedly by some desperate Canadian defence until Brunt went over. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Shoshanah Seumanutafa had scored in the 76th minute to give Canada a 27-22 lead, touching down with a desperate lunge for the try-line after breaking through two tacklers. Julia Schell missed the conversion leaving Canada ahead by five points. The game was tied 12-12 after a high-paced, intense first half that featured some fierce if occasionally sloppy play at the breakdown, with the high error rate not unexpected from two teams playing just their second test of the year. Still it was a measuring stick for both teams, with Canada ranked second in the world and New Zealand No. 3, some three months ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England where the two sides could meet in the semifinal. There were big hits delivered by both sides, with Canadian flanker Karen Paquin flattening a New Zealand ball-runner in the first half. Canada also impressed at set pieces, controlling lineouts and bossing some scrums. Canadian back Asia Hogan-Rochester, who needed treatment late in the first half, was replaced at the break. In the second half, Canada lost backrower Gabrielle Senft to injury and captain Alex Tessier when she failed a head injury assessment. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. Saturday's rematch was at the same venue, Apollo Projects Stadium. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before Saturday's game. Hogan-Rochester, DaLeaka Menin, Alysha Corrigan and Olivia Apps also scored tries for Canada. Schell kicked a conversion. Ayesha Leti-I'iga scored two tries for New Zealand with Braxton Sorensen-McGee adding a single. Demant booted two conversions and a penalty. New Zealand had needed to win Saturday to replace Canada in second place in the rankings. New Zealand pulled ahead 19-12 in the 54th minute when Leti-I'iga gathered in Brunt's deft grubber kick to score her second try. Sorensen-McGee, an 18-year-old fullback played in just her second test match, set the table with a swerving run through traffic. Canada responded with Apps darting over for a try after a rolling maul stalled near the Black Ferns try-line. But Schell missed the conversion near the sideline, leaving Canada trailing 19-17. The Canadians kept coming and, taking advantage of a poor New Zealand clearing kick, scored again in the 64th with Corrigan scoring on an overlap for a 22-19 lead. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Black Ferns tied it up in the 69th minute via a Demant penalty kick in front of the posts. Canada opened tournament play May 2 with a 26-14 win over the ninth-ranked U.S. New Zealand defeated No. 6 Australia 38-12 in its tournament opener last Saturday in Newcastle, Australia. Australia hosted the U.S. in Canberra later Saturday. Canada closes out the tournament against Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 23. That same day, New Zealand plays the U.S. in Auckland. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada went into Saturday's game with a lineup reinforced by players from the sevens side that finished third at the HSBC SVNS World Championship. New Zealand star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, coming out of international retirement, started on the wing in her first international 15s game since the World Cup final in November 2022. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the tournament was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2025 Read more rugby news at
