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NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Rugby World Cup motivation for Gisborne's Black Fern Olsen-Baker
No 8 Olsen Baker said the focus would 'definitely be on the game review' and she was looking forward to the next match, which will be her 11th test after debuting in 2022. It's a return 'home' of sorts for Olsen-Baker, as she is based in Christchurch, where she plays for Matatū in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. Matatū lost 26-19 to the Blues in the grand final at Eden Park last month. For Olsen-Baker, the game is about basics – from training to game day itself. The 2024 Black Ferns Player of the Year and Super Aupiki Player of the Year finalist says she trains how she plays. 'Don't over-think it.' The 23-year-old is constantly looking to develop her skillset, with the Women's World Cup in England later this year being a huge motivator. 'I've grown so much, I've learned so much from the coaching staff, improving my game. 'It would be super cool to make the World Cup.' Having shifted from Palmerston North to Christchurch last year, it did not take her long to adjust. 'It's not much of a difference,' she said of the weather compared to the North Island, noting she had not experienced the extremely cold southern winters just yet. She did miss the Gisborne weather, she said. She said she did not return to Gisborne as often as she liked, usually during Christmas and New Year, mixing socialising with her gym and fitness regime. 'It's all about balance and having fun with friends. Balance is key.' Olsen-Baker is Ngāti Porou. Her family originates from the East Coast settlement of Rangitukia, although she and her sisters – Te Uarangi and Te Mai Ora, also talented rugby players – grew up and schooled in Gisborne. Their parents are former Pirates and Horouta rugby man Jason Baker and netballer Gabe Olsen, who played goal shoot and goal-attack for several Gisborne and East Coast club sides. The Olsen-Baker sisters attended Awapuni School and Gisborne Intermediate School. Kaipo went to Gisborne Girls' High before shifting to character school Manukura in Palmerston North and playing sevens and 15s rugby. When asked what advice she had for other young women who might wish to follow in her footsteps, Olsen-Baker said: 'I would tell my old self to surround yourself with those that have the same goals. Love what what you're doing. 'Have fun and take every opportunity.'
RNZ News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns selectors drop Ruby Tui for Pacific Four series
Ruby Tui has been dropped for the Pacific Four series. Photo: Alex Leech / Rugby superstar Ruby Tui has been left out of the Black Ferns squad for the next month's Pacific Four series. Tui, Renee Holmes and Chelsea Bremner are the headline players who have missed selection in the 33-player squad announced at a training camp in Upper Hutt today. All played prominent roles in the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup triumph in 2022. Tui, 33, has also been a star player in the Black Ferns Sevens side, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The squad features three players set to make their international debuts - prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, hooker Vici-Rose Green, and fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Sevens stars Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included, while Kelly Brazier will travel with the squad to Newcastle as travelling reserve. Black Ferns director of rugby Alan Bunting said there were difficult decisions for the selectors. "It's a tight race leading up to our World Cup campaign and we know we've had to make tough calls at this point. 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," he said. Loosehead props Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 10 Test caps) Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 8 Test caps) Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 4 Test caps) Hookers Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 27 Test caps) Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 5 Test caps) Vici-Rose Green (23, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped) Tighthead Props Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 18 Test caps) Amy Rule (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 27 Test caps) Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped) Locks Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Test caps) Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 25 Test caps) Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu (22, Blues, Auckland, 5 Test caps) Dhys Faleafaga (24, Black Ferns Sevens, 2 Test caps) Loose Forwards Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (23, Blues, Auckland, 26 Test caps) Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 11 Test caps) Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22, Matatū, Manawatū, 9 Test caps) Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Test caps) Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped) Halfbacks Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 8 Test caps) Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 14 Test caps) Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (24, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped) First fives Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 41 Test caps) Hannah King (21, Matatū, Canterbury, 7 Test caps) Midfield Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 21 Test caps) Theresa Setefano (30, Black Ferns Sevens, 18 Test caps) Amy du Plessis (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 19 Test caps) Stacey Waaka (29, Black Ferns Sevens, 25 Test caps) Outside backs Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (33, Blues, 24 Test caps) Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 14 Test caps) Ayesha Leti-I'iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 24 Test caps) Mererangi Paul (26, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 12 Test caps) Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, uncapped) *Travelling reserve to Newcastle Kelly Brazier (35, Black Ferns Sevens, Chiefs Manawa, 42 Test caps) Black Ferns matches at the Pacific Four tournament: Saturday, May 10, 5.00pm - v Australia Saturday, May 17, 3.35pm - v Canada Saturday, May 24, 3.35pm - v USA.
