Latest news with #KennedyTukuafu
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tukuafu eager for Black Ferns to take another step forward
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu is pleased with how far her side has come so far. But they are always demanding more of each other and nailing those finishing touches against a physical United States of America side this afternoon is at the top of the list. Reflecting on their games against the Wallaroos and Canada already in the Pacific Four series, Tukuafu felt the Black Ferns had made great strides to grow certain areas of their game. "But it doesn't help when we don't really nail the one percenters," Tukuafu told the Otago Daily Times. "That's going to be our goal this weekend. Getting out on the field and really nailing those one percenters — catch, pass, ruck security. "Really happy with how far we've come and again, just making sure we capitalise on those moments and when we create space on the edges getting the ball there and finishing well." Tukuafu, who will come off the bench for her 30th test, said the Black Ferns reviewed the United States — who are winless despite putting up some big fights — and knew the key areas to tackle. "We've just said that we need to make sure we bring the physicality, line speed to try and pressure the skill set, all that basic stuff. "But they're very... unpredictable, so just making sure that we're communicating, and making our tackles, so that it's a good flowy game for us." Preparation throughout the week had been good and Tukuafu said the Black Ferns sevens players had integrated well among the squad. Stacey Waaka and Theresa Setefano, who played at the Rugby World Cup in 2021, start as the midfield combination, Jorja Miller gets her first shot at openside and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane debuts at halfback. Chiefs Manawa front rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green are also in line for their first tests. Waaka will have a big task in her opposite in Ilona Maher — the most followed rugby player online in the world — who has also switched to union for the United States. But there is another Black Fern who has caught Tukuafu's eye in young fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who gets her third straight start. "She's 18 years old and she's been able to come out and, you know, front up at a test match level," Tukuafu said. "Test matches, no matter who you're playing, is really hard. They're the best players of their country and she comes out with such confidence. "I've been really proud of her," she said. The Pacific Four series has more importance than most years in 2025 in building towards the Rugby World Cup later this year. Tukuafu said the series was "hugely important" in their bid to defend their world champion status. "We've only got four tests until the World Cup. "We just have to make sure we take the learnings from each game as they come and continue to be ready. "Whether that's the 32 in the squad now, or the women at home that are doing their work. "We've got to be prepared for anything. "These games have been great and good steppingstones to a huge World Cup in England." Pacific Four Series North Harbour, 3.35pm Black Ferns: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Katelynn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Jorja Miller, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Maia Roos, Alana Bremner, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Georgia Ponsonby, Kate Henwood. Reserves: Vici-Rose Green, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Tanya Kalounivale, Chelsea Bremner, Kennedy Tukuafu, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Sylvia Brunt. United States: Bulou Mataitoga, Emily Henrich, Ilona Maher, McKenzie Hawkins, Cheta Emba, Sariah Ibarra, Olivia Ortiz, Rachel Johnson, Kate Zackary, Freda Tafuna, Erica Jarrell, Hallie Taufoou, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Paige Stathopoulos, Hope Rogers. Reserves: Kathryn Treder, Alivia Leatherman, Charli Jacoby, Rachel Ehrecke, Tahlia Brody, Cass Bargell, Nicole Heavirland, Tess Feury.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Black Ferns co-captain backing sevens stars to make an impact
Kennedy Tukuafu in action against the Wallaroos. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ A few sevens stars are set to be unleashed for the Black Ferns this weekend and co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu can't wait to see what they can do. Sevens players Jorja Miller, Risi Pouri-Lane, Stacey Waaka have yet to play for the Black Ferns XVs during the Pacific Four series, with the trio only joining the side ahead of last week's 27-27 draw with Canada in Christchurch. Jorja Miller and Risi Pouri-Lane playing for the Black Ferns Sevens at the Paris Olympics. Photo: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP Assistant coach Steve Jackson said last week the sevens women would get a run at some point during the Pacific Four, and with New Zealand's last game of the series this weekend against the US in Albany, it's now or never. Loose forward Tukuafu is expecting big things from Miller and co. "They're just the ultimate professionals. They're full-time. They're fit. They're fast. They're strong. They're just a delight to be around. They make everybody better because we all have to work harder. "Off the field, they're just a laugh. They bring that human element. It's really nice to be able to take advice from them, but also them coming to us XVs players, and we're giving them as much advice as we can. It's a really nice environment to be able to build off each other." Kennedy Tukuafu of the Black Ferns after the 27-27 draw with Canada in Christchurch. 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Last week, Jackson said the sevens players would be ready to play "in terms of their physicality and their strength and conditioning", but said they had a lot to learn in terms of adapting to the XVs game and the Black Ferns' style of play. Tukuafu believes the sevens players have adjusted quickly, and says the size of the occasion - being a must-win game for the Black Ferns as they seek to win back the Pacific Four title from Canada - won't affect them. The Black Ferns Sevens are back-to-back Olympic champions and have played on some of the biggest stages in sport. Tukuafu believes that experience will be invaluable for the Black Ferns XVs. "Yeah, absolutely. When we have games they give us that advice - stuff like sleeping in. They just know how to prepare for big moments like that, so it's nice to have them in our back pocket." Saturday's test at North Harbour Stadium is the Black Ferns' second-to-last before the World Cup, which kicks off in England in August. Tukuafu said the world champion New Zealanders are working hard in several areas including their set piece and defence. "There's heaps. We've always got to be ready to go to battle at training. We're working hard on our scrums and lineouts. On defence, we've got a really good system and it's just about making sure we stay disciplined in those moments. "Other things that we're focusing on is our kicking game and we've come leaps and bounds from last season." Claire Gallagher of Canada is tackled by Ayesha Leti-I'iga of the Black Ferns. Photo: Photosport New Zealand and Canada are tied at the top of the Pacific Four standings with one round remaining. The Black Ferns host the US on Saturday, with Canada taking on the Wallaroos in Brisbane on Friday night. That gives the Black Ferns the luxury of knowing what they need to do to take back the Pacific Four title. However, Canada are expected to win against Australia and the Black Ferns will want to beat the US by as many points as they can to give themselves the best possible chance of taking the Pacific Four title. The United States fell to a 27-19 loss to Australia last weekend, but Tukuafu said there's no room for complacency in the Black Ferns squad. "We obviously watched the game against Australia, which was a physical one. Test match rugby is always different. Teams always turn up to try and out muscle you and out run you. "We just want to make sure that we're really tight as a pack and we keep that consistent line speed on defence and just tidy up those ball handling areas. I have confidence in us and when we do those things well we come away on the right side." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
