Latest news with #JorjaMiller
CNA
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
SYDNEY :Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12.
Reuters
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
SYDNEY, May 26 (Reuters) - Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12.
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Ferns v USA live updates, Pacific Four Series test
Live updates of the Pacific Four Series test between the Black Ferns and USA at Albany Stadium. Match preview After a successful season on the sevens circuit, Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been given their chance to shine in the 15-a-side code. The pair will make their debuts for the Black Ferns against the United States at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday, looking to further stake their claims to be in the World Cup squad. 'I think we're right where we need to be,' Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said of his side's World Cup preparations. 'We've got a competitive group of ladies and, for me looking forward, selection is going to be hard and that's right where we need to be.' Bunting said the players transitioning from the sevens programme had been doing plenty of homework ahead of a test that could see them crowned Pacific Four series champions. Miller starting at openside flanker and Pouri-Lane at halfback are among eight changes to the run-on XV from the side who drew with Canada last weekend. Tighthead prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu also comes into the starting XV for her debut, while hooker Vici-Rose Green is in line for her debut from the bench. Last week's result has left the Pacific Four title on the line this weekend; a bonus-point win is likely to be enough for the Black Ferns to reclaim the title, as they go into the round with a points differential of 14 better than Canada's. 'That will matter, but if we get our stuff right, that's us,' Bunting said of the test between Canada and Australia. 'We've been focused on us, and there are a few things that we needed to work on from last week, and that's the important thing for us.' Fellow Black Ferns Sevens players Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka will also get their first 15-a-side starts this season, named at second five-eighths and centre respectively. It's the same midfield combination that was so effective in the World Cup in 2022. Other changes in the squad see Kate Henwood start at loosehead prop and Kaipo Olsen-Baker at No 8, which sees Liana Mikaele-Tu'u move to blindside flanker. In the backline, Katelyn Vahaakolo starts on the left wing in place of Ayesha Leti-I'iga. On the bench, prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu and lock Chelsea Bremner are also new inclusions to the match-day squad. Bremner initially missed selection for the Pacific Four squad, but gets an opportunity after a training injury ruled Dhys Faleafaga out for the season. 'We were consistent with our selection over the last couple of games and that was important,' Bunting said. 'Obviously, our ladies that have been playing sevens for a while, they haven't played 15s for a while, so we want to get them playing. That's the main reason why they're playing this week.' Black Ferns: 1. Kate Henwood 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu 4. Alana Bremner 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 7. Jorja Miller 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker 9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane 10. Ruahei Demant (cc) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo 12. Theresa Setefano 13. Stacey Waaka 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee Bench: 16. Vici-Rose Green 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
1News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Sevens star Jorja Miller on transition to 15s
Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller has the rugby world at her feet — but the newly-minted Women's Sevens Player of the Year puts her meteoric rise down to a different activity altogether. 'Credit to my highland dancing, which I think has had a massive impact on my rugby career,' she told Breakfast. 'I think a lot of skills have transferred over.' Of course, her hard work and prodigious rugby talent helped. The 2024 Olympic gold-medallist admitted it's been a whirlwind couple of years. 'Time flies when you're having fun. It's kind of just gone from one thing to the next, I've been loving it, so no complaints. 'I feel like an old girl. I'm 21 but I guess I sit in that more experienced side now, to lead the girls with Gossie [Sarah Hirini] and Risi [Pouri-Lane].' She was now transitioning to the 15-a-side version of the game with the Black Ferns, and targeting World Cup glory this year. '[It's] a lot more physical, I've made a lot more tackles in the last two days than in probably three years of Sevens. 'But I love that side of things, it's a different game. Bigger bodies, in Sevens it's smaller girls and bigger spaces.'' The Black Ferns take on USA at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Midday Sports News for 22 May 2025
Two Olympic gold medal winning sevens players, Jorja Miller and Risi Puri-Lane have been named to make their debuts for the Black Ferns in Saturday's Pacific Four decider against the USA in Hamilton. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
