Latest news with #KellyBrazier
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns World Cup rookies keen to test themselves on the biggest stage
Kaipo Olsen-Baker of the Black Ferns with fans. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Maia Joseph and Kaipo Olsen-Baker have never been to a Rugby World Cup and it will be the biggest highlight and biggest challenge of their careers. The pair have been in camp with the Black Ferns in Wellington following last week's World Cup squad naming and with the team due to fly out to England for their title defence on 13 August, things have been getting pretty full on at training, with Joseph sporting a black eye. "I got this the first training of camp last week. So, yeah I think the intensity's definitely gone up since being named in the World Cup squad. Everyone's really hungry and excited for the first game," Joseph said. Maia Joseph playing for the Black Ferns. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 It will be the first major tournament for Joseph, Olsen-Baker and several other Black Ferns players, but there are still a large group of veterans in the World Cup squad who've either been to a previous tournament or an Olympic Games. Halfback Joseph has been learning a lot about World Cup rugby. "I've had really good conversations with Kelly Brazier . This is obviously her fourth World Cup. She's just kind of explained to us how different it is in terms of the pressure and the stakes and I guess the expectations on us as the Black Ferns. "Most of her advice has been around being present, being really in the moment. I think her missing the last World Cup, she learnt that these things are very rare to be a part of. "That's what I'm going to take into it and just try, on and off the field, to make the most of every moment over there." Olsen-Baker can barely contain her excitement at the prospect of heading to England, but she concedes there will be times it could be difficult. "Definitely being away from my family would be a huge challenge. I'm such a family person," Olsen-Baker said. "So being halfway across the world, I guess, is a big challenge, but Maya's parents and them are coming, so that's like my second family, which is nice." Kaipo Olsen-Baker of New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ For Olsen-Baker, her first World Cup appearance feels like a long time coming. She made her Black Ferns debut in 2022 but injury meant the loose forward didn't feature at the the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand (played in 2022). "Just can't wait to play some footy. I was literally watching training last week and I'm like, oh my god itchy feet. I can't wait to get back out on the field." Injury also curtailed Joseph's chances of playing at the last World Cup, but watching the Black Ferns win the title reaffirmed her desire to play at the global tournament. "I was actually at home (during the last World Cup final). I had just ruptured my ACL and I had just had surgery so I was at home watching with my mum. "I think it was really inspiring watching that game and seeing how New Zealand got behind the Black Ferns. Watching them win in front of a sold out Eden Park, that was definitely a pivotal moment in me wanting to experience the same thing. I'm just really excited to go to be honest." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
World Cup-bound Black Fern Kelly Brazier thought she was getting the 'bad' phone call
2017 Women's Rugby World Cup Final between England and New Zealand. Kelly Brazier fends off a tackle. Photo: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane When Kelly Brazier received a phone call from Allan Bunting, she thought he was delivering the same bad news he delivered to her four years ago. Instead, the Black Ferns coach told her she'd made the 32-strong squad that would be going the Women's Rugby World Cup in England next month. Brazier will be appearing at her fourth edition after playing in 2010, 2014 and 2017. She has earned a place as the back-up first five-eighths alongside co-captain Ruahei Demant. Bunting was part of the coaching group during the Black Ferns last World Cup campaign, when Sir Wayne Smith was head coach. "We were in camp and flew home on Sunday night and we had been told our position-specific coach would ring us, so for me that's Tony Christie and that Bunts [Bunting] would be making all the calls to the players that hadn't made it," Brazier said. "I was unpacking my bag and the next thing I see my phone going off and I see Bunt's name pop up and I was immediately 'oh man, not this again' because he had made the call four years prior. "I picked up the phone, I was like 'Hey Bunts', and then he was just straight away 'congratulations'. "I couldn't believe it to be honest, probably because I wasn't expecting the call from him but he's someone who I have spent a lot of time with over the years so it was special to get the call from him." The pair know each other well. Bunting was head coach of the Black Ferns sevens for five years until stepping away at the end of 2021. Bunting took over as Black Ferns director of rugby in 2023. Brazier has had a long successful career in both codes. The 35-year-old debuted for the Black Ferns in 2009, and became a full-time professional sevens player in 2014. The Black Ferns Rugby World Cup Team Announcement. Photo: Marty Melville She has won two World Cup titles in the fifteens game and two Olympic medals in sevens, a silver in Rio 2016 and gold at the 2020 Tokyo games. She was aiming for a third Olympics but an achilles injury early last year put a dent in her build-up and she missed out on Paris 2024. Brazier missed out on the 2021 World Cup triumph, hosted in New Zealand and her prospects of making this year's world cup didn't look great. Can Brazier, who has played 44 tests across a 16-year career, believe she's going to another world cup? "No, to be honest, it was a massive honour to go to one, let alone thinking I was going to my fourth. "Four years ago, when I missed out on the world cup in New Zealand, I definitely had doubts if I would come back and four years is a long time when you're my age so to be here now is special and something I'm very proud of." Brazier signed to play for Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki 2025. She earned a late lifeline against the Wallaroos earlier this month, which was her first test since 2021. She did enough to convince the selectors they needed her in the squad for her fourth World Cup bid. Kelly Brazier playing sevens for New Zealand. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix How did she control her nerves knowing so much was on the line in that game? "Pretty nervous I guess and this time of the year, the competition was hotly contested in my position. Knowing not just playing my first test in a while, but I had to perform to be in a position to make this team," she said. "There were nerves but I've sort of been around, played in some pinnacles, played a few Test matches so just tried to go back to my strategies and just treat it like any other game." In a career littered with highlights, Brazier said being named for the world cup was "up there". "… If not the most special and probably off the back of my past four years, after missing an Olympics that I really wanted to be a part of and then missing a home World Cup in New Zealand, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said. "I guess to bounce back from that and be named to go to England where it's going to be the biggest world cup for women yet is very special and proud to be here." Brazier said everything about being a part of the team still excited her. "It never gets old and probably the last couple of years when I've been injured and missed selection, there's probably things in the past I've taken for granted," she said. "But that time away from the game, coming back in, I've enjoyed those little things, those small moments, whether it's just having dinner with girls from around the country, people I haven't met before so just making sure I enjoy every moment." The lead up to this world cup, compared to her first world cup in 2010 could not be more different. "Throughout the camp some of girls asked me what it was like. My first world cup we had no tests leading in, it was maybe a seven day camp and off on the plane," she said. "The lead in we've got, the support staff we have now, the coaches, the facilities are unreal and I think it just shows the growth of women's rugby." The Black Ferns are the defending champions after beating England 24-21 in front of a sold out Eden Park in 2022. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Ruby Tui back in Black Ferns squad
Ruby Tui playing for Chiefs Manawa, 2025. Photo: Jeremy Ward / PHOTOSPORT 2022 World Cup star Ruby Tui has fought her way back into contention for this year's tournament after being named in the Black Ferns squad for Saturday's Test against Australia in Wellington. Tui missed out on selection when Black Ferns coach Alan Bunting named his squad in May for the Pacific Four series . She played in the trial game between the Black Ferns and a Black Ferns XV last weekend and was then called into the squad earlier this week as injury cover. Tui has been named on the bench for the O'Reilly Cup game against the Australia. She is set to play her 20th Test for New Zealand. Sevens star Kelly Brazier will play in her first Test since 2021, bringing over 15 years' experience to the team. Matatū lock Laura Bayfield is in line for her Black Ferns debut off the bench following an impressive performance for the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei last weekend. Bunting said both Bayfield and Brazier had earned this weekend's opportunities based on hard work. "Laura was a standout throughout Super Rugby Aupiki this year and has put in the work. She topped all stats for the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei and deserves her opportunity to debut this weekend. "It has also been great having Kelly in the July Series squad, her experience has really added to our depth at 10." Saturday's game will be the Black Ferns last on home soil before they head to the World Cup in England. 1 Chryss Viliko 2 Georgia Ponsonby 3 Tanya Kalounivale 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5 Chelsea Bremner 6 Alana Bremner (cc) 7 Jorja Miller 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 9 Risaleaana Pouri-Lane 10 Ruahei Demant (cc) 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i Sylvia Brunt 13 Stacey Waaka 14 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15 Renee Holmes 16 Vici-Rose Green 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu 18 Amy Rule (30th Test) 19 Laura Bayfield* 20 Layla Sae 21 Iritana Hohaia 22 Kelly Brazier 23 Ruby Tui (20th Test) *denotes debut
Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Brazier shows enduring class
Sometimes you cannot beat experience. Veteran first five Kelly Brazier put her hand up for a spot in the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad after a strong performance in Whangarei on Saturday. The former Otago playmaker controlled the game nicely in the opening half for the Black Ferns in their 45-12 win over the Black Ferns XV. The 35-year-old showed the class of her kicking game — including a 50-22 in the opening minutes — and was a calm head among some early jitters from players desperate to put their case forward. Less than 50 days out from the Rugby World Cup, it was one of the last opportunities before the squad is named later this month. It was a relatively messy game in the opening half, until Black Ferns second five Sylvia Brunt opened things up. Alana Bremner added another string to her bow as co-captain, and blindside Mia Anderson — in her first Black Ferns game — carried well in an 80-minute effort. The Black Ferns held a 21-5 lead at halftime, but it was a revolving door of changes in the second half. Fullback Renee Holmes made good impact in the second half for the Black Ferns, after being dropped earlier this year. She set up two nice tries, including one for young talent Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Winger Ruby Tui — yet to crack the Black Ferns squad in 2025 — scored both tries for the Black Ferns XV. Matatu lock Laura Bayfield was busy for the Black Ferns XV, as was first five Hannah King. Both join the Black Ferns squad for their test against the Wallaroos this Saturday in Wellington. Trial game The scores Black Ferns 45 Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Sylvia Brunt, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Katelynn Vahaakolo, Amy du Plessis, Jorja Miller tries; Kelly Brazier 3 con, Renee Holmes 2 con Black Ferns XV 12 Ruby Tui 2 tries; Kiera Su'a-Smith con Halftime: Black Ferns 21-5.
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.
