Latest news with #MaiaJoseph
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Chance for redemption for Joseph and Black Ferns
There is nothing people love more than a good redemption story. Otago halfback Maia Joseph could be in the thick of one when the Black Ferns look to reverse their fortunes against Canada in Christchurch tomorrow. Joseph has been named to start at halfback again in a repeat of the clash in the same city where Canada recorded their first win over the Black Ferns last year. Matatu prop Amy Rule returns to the starting lineup at tighthead, after coming off the bench in the Pacific Four opener against Australia last week. She joins three other Super Rugby Aupiki team-mates — hooker Georgia Ponsonby, lock Alana Bremner and centre Amy du Plessis — in the starting side. No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker shifts to the bench and first five Hannah King will again make impact from the reserves. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u replaces Olsen-Baker in the back row, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been named on the right wing, her first international union clash since the Rugby World Cup final in 2022, when she left the field early due to injury. Breakout 18-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee retains her spot at fullback after scoring a brace on debut last week, and Ayseha Leti-I'iga shifts to the left wing, with Katelyn Vahaakolo left out of the 23. Coach Allan Bunting has resisted the urge to name any of the sevens players who joined the squad this year, many only joining the Black Ferns in the past week. But there is no doubt Woodman-Wickliffe's return to the international stage will be a special moment in a hard-fought game. "I'm really excited for Portia to again represent her country in front of friends and whānau," Bunting said. "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." Canada, who are ranked second in the world behind England, secured their first win over the Black Ferns in Christchurch last year to wrap up the Pacific Four title. They come in off the back of a 26-14 win over the United States two weeks ago, while the Black Ferns — ranked third in the world — beat the Wallaroos 38-12 last weekend. "Last Saturday was a great stepping stone towards where we want to be, and we look forward to seeing how we build off that this week against a quality Canadian side," Bunting said. "We are excited to play our first test at home." Canada are without captain Sophie de Goede, the powerful No 8 and goal kicker, who tore her ACL last year. They will be led by second five Alex Tessier. Kick-off is at 3.35pm.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Starts for five Matatu players
Maia Joseph. PHOTO: ODT FILES Otago halfback Maia Joseph is ready for her first international test this year. Joseph has been named to start against the Wallaroos in the opening Pacific Four Series test in Australia tomorrow. She is joined in the starting side by four Matatu team-mates. Black Ferns player of the year Kaipo Olsen-Baker is at No8, Georgia Ponsonby provides stability at hooker, Alana Bremner has been named at lock and Amy du Plessis rightly owns the No13 jersey. Prop Amy Rule and first five Hannah King provide cover off the bench. Black Ferns coach Alan Bunting has stuck with an experienced lineup — there is no room for Black Ferns Sevens players who have joined the squad — for the opening test. Blues breakout back Braxton Sorensen-McGee is the only new cap. The 18-year-old will start at fullback after an impressive Super Rugby Aupiki season. "We're super excited for Braxton and we are looking forward to seeing her in the black jersey," Bunting said. "It's going to be a proud moment for her and her whānau. 'Selections have been awarded on consistent form through Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and we are allowing more time for players who weren't selected to learn and settle into our environment. "I've also been really impressed with the attitude within our group.' Bunting has resisted the urge to give superstar back Portia Woodman a run as well, after she came out of international retirement in the Rugby World Cup year. Flanker Kennedy Tukuafu and first five Ruahei Demant continue to co-captain the team and have a settle line up beside them. Hard-nosed runner Layla Sae packs down at blindside, Maia Roos — playing her 30th test — is a big lineout target at lock, and Tanya Kalounivale and Chryss Viliko get the nod at front row. Exciting wingers Ayseha Leti-I'iga and Katelyn Vahaakolo can break through from anywhere and will inject a huge amount of speed out wide and second five Sylvia Brunt is hard to stop. Bunting has gone with a five-three split on the bench. King will cover first five, Iritana Hohaia is the halfback cover and Mererangi Paul can shift across the backline where needed. The Laurie O'Reilly Cup will also be on the line for the first time this season. Kick-off is at 5pm.
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Bunting rolls the dice
Otago halfback Maia Joseph will get a chance to add to her eight test caps during the Pacific Four series this month. The 23-year-old, who played some big minutes for Matatu during Super Rugby Aupiki this season, was named in the 33-strong Black Ferns squad for the three-game series yesterday. Joseph will be joined by Matatu team-mates Amy du Plessis, Hannah King, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Alana Bremner, Georgia Ponsonby and Amy Rule. But there were some shock omissions from Alan Bunting's first squad of the year in star winger Ruby Tui, fullback Renee Holmes, lock Chelsea Bremner and front-rowers Luka Connor and Krystal Murray. Holmes and Tui, in particular, have held starting spots for the Blacks Ferns through the majority of the past cycle, but it seems Bunting wants a chance to test sevens players returning to the fold in a bid to make the Rugby World Cup squad later this year. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will headline an exciting backline after coming out of retirement to make herself available for the World Cup. Sevens stars Jorja Miller — who has been selected as part of the loose forwards — Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included, while Kelly Brazier will go with the squad to Newcastle as travelling reserve. Miller, Waaka and Pouri-Lane will join the squad in Christchurch ahead of the Black Ferns v Canada match due to their sevens commitments. Alena Saili, who hails from Southland and was part of the 49 players invited to the Black Ferns camp last month, was not named. Three players are in line for their international debut in Chiefs Manawa prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and hooker Vici-Rose Green and talented Blues outside back Braxton Sorensen-McGee, after her breakthrough Super Rugby Aupiki season. Bunting said players were rewarded for their consistency during Aupiki and the two-day camp. "The Pacific Four Series is a chance for us to reward those players with an opportunity to represent our country. "It's not just about the squad of 33 — this is about building a solid group of 40-plus who will be clear on how we want to be and play come World Cup selection time.' Bunting acknowledged selectors had to make some tough calls in omitting several experienced players. "It's a tight race leading up to our World Cup campaign," Bunting said. "I've been very impressed by the response and attitude from our players to still serve the team. "Our whole group is important on this journey. There is still a bit more water to go under the bridge before we name our World Cup squad." The Black Ferns travel to Newcastle tomorrow ahead of their opening game of the series against Australia on May 10. They then return home to play Canada in Christchurch on May 17 and the United States in North Harbour on May 24.
