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RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRLW: NZ Warriors women assemble at Mt Smart to rekindle programme
Warriors women gather at their new Mt Smart headquarters. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ NZ Warriors survivor Apii Nicholls is somewhat bemused at her return to Mt Smart, as the club rekindles its NRLW aspirations this season. As one of the club's foundation women's players in 2018, she will forever carry the No.2 cap through her career and beyond, but even she didn't expect to be back her so soon, after the team was disbanded during the Covid 19 pandemic. This week, the new-look roster assembled in Auckland for the first time, as their new headquarters - previously the home of Oceania Football - received a traditional Māori blessing. The squad is a mix of experienced Kiwis Ferns internationals and NRLW veterans, along with local club players stepping into professional ranks for the first time and a smattering of rugby union converts, including sevens superstar Michaela Brake. They will be guided by two-time championship coach Ron Griffiths. Fullback Nicholls, 32, seemed as thrilled as her young teammates to be back on familiar ground. Apii Nicholls in action for the Warriors women in 2020. Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport "I feel like I'm on the same level as them," she said. "I'm pinching myself as well. "It's great to see we have so much talent coming through and for them to have this opportunity. "It's an exciting feeling and a proud moment as well, because from where we came from, there's so much more we have now - this team shed and so much staff on board. There's a really good feeling for this season. "It's everything I've wanted for our local girls, who have been trying to get into this space. Really grateful for what the club is doing for us." Nicholls played six games for the Warriors women during the first two seasons of NRLW competition, contested by only four teams. In 2020, when Covid hit and the team could not travel across the Tasman, the club fielded a side made up of Australian-based players, but folded the programme afterwards, promising to return one day. "I knew I would hopefully one day be back in the Warriors jersey, but I didn't think it would come so soon," Nicholls admits. "When I did get the call from Ron, I was surprised, but I thought about my family and coming back was the best for them." Warriors women participate in the traditional Māori blessing of their headquarters. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ In the meantime, she did what she could to keep her competitive fires burning. She took some time off, but signed for Gold Coast Titans in 2022 and then Canberra Raiders for their maiden NRLW season in 2023. Nicholls also switched codes to join Chiefs Manawa for two seasons in Super Rugby Aupiki. "Getting different experiences from different coaching staff has helped my game a lot," she said. "I've definitely learnt a lot in the last couple of years. "I was with the Titans and the Raiders as well, and appreciate all the coaching staff that have helped me as a player and a person. "I'm keen to learn from Ron and see what he has, not just for me, but our team." Griffiths comes to Auckland with great coaching pedigree, masterminding back-to-back titles for the Knights, as well as three years as Indigenous All-Stars coach. That experience has prepared him for the part local culture will play win the Warriors women, after their traditional greeting. "I'm an Aboriginal man from New South Wales and part of our culture is, if we go into someone else's country, we seek permission and they welcome us on," he said. "These sort of things aren't second nature, but I'm certainly used to them and I understand the importance of them - it's special. "The relationship between us and Ngati Whatua is strong, and we need to keep it that way. The club, as a whole, it's important we honour the custodians and they do that well." Ron Griffiths participates in the traditional Māori blessing of the Warriors women's headquarters. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Griffiths has seven weeks to shape his squad into a unite that can compete in a competition that has now expanded to 12 teams. First up on 7 July are defending champions Sydney Roosters. "It's been a long time coming - 12 months in preparation, but six months of having the squad settled and ready to go," Griffiths said. "Those moments like today, when they get to look at their locker, they're moments that are etched in history. "Importantly, I think we need to tick off playing a particular style of football. We're going to play a certain way and we've recruited that way with players that will suit the style of football we want. "Now, it's about balancing and making sure we can play to players' strengths also, getting them fit, and making sure they're connected and working hard for each other." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Black Ferns sevens claim world championship title in Los Angeles
The Black Ferns sevens have done the double - adding the world championships to their series season victory by thrashing Australia 31-7 in the final in Los Angeles today. The Olympic gold medallists dominated their rivals from the start, with Jorja Miller and Michaela Brake scoring first-half tries in an attacking effort that was inspired by the team's superb defence. The Australians struggled to break out of their territory in the first half and, while they struck first after the break via Mackenzie Davis' long-range try, they had few other ideas about how to break through New Zealand's wall. Tries from Risi Pouri-Lane and Mahina Paul quickly restored the Black Ferns' advantage, with skipper Sarah Hirini showing a rare touch of emotion as she celebrated scoring her team's fifth and final try. It means New Zealand has won 21 matches in a row. 'I don't show much emotion but it probably showed how much it meant,' Hirini said on the broadcast afterwards. 'After the Olympic gold medal we wanted to show that we are a great team by winning the league and winning the series and we did it and I'm [very] excited about it.' Australia, the second seeds, could not cope with New Zealand's physicality and speed, with 21-year-old Miller and Brake standouts. In the earlier match, the New Zealand men beat Argentina 38-17 to win the bronze medal – their first podium place of the season. Argentina have won their last four matches against New Zealand but failed to make the most of second-half yellow cards for Rob Rush and Sofai Maka for high and late tackles respectively. The All Blacks sevens lost to Spain in a pool match and South Africa in their semifinal but saved their best performance for their last. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scored three tries and kicked three conversions for New Zealand, who led 24-5 at halftime.
Otago Daily Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Black Ferns Sevens win World Series title
Jorja Miller scored one of the Black Ferns Sevens tries as the won the World Sevens Series championship in Los Angeles. The Black Ferns Sevens have been crowned World Series champions after crushing Australia 31-7 in the final of the winner-takes-all season ending tournament in Los Angeles. New Zealand, who led 12-0 at halftime, have now won four straight matches against Australia since the final of the Perth event. Jorja Miller, Michaela Brake, Risi Pouri-Lane, Mahina Paul and Sarah Hirini were the try-scorers for the champions. The Black Ferns Sevens had already wrapped up the overall league title after winning four of the six previous rounds, including the most recent in Singapore. New Zealand won the Cape Town, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore rounds. The top eight men's and women's teams in the standings after the Singapore event then qualified for the Los Angeles season finale. Olympic champions New Zealand beat hosts the United States 34-7 in the semifinals. Michaela Brake scored a hat-trick of tries for the Black Ferns Sevens against the US with Jorja Miller, Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Sarah Hirini the other players to dot down. The Black Ferns Sevens had already wrapped up the overall league title after winning four of the six previous World Series events, including the last three in a row before Los Angeles. New Zealand won the Cape Town, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore rounds. The All Blacks Sevens were beaten 31-5 by South Africa in the men's semifinals and eventually finished third after overcoming Argentina 38-17 in the bronze medal playoff. It's the New Zealand men's first podium finish this World Series season. South Africa will play Spain in the men's final.
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Black Ferns Sevens win World Series title
Jorja Miller. Photo: / Juan Gasparini The Black Ferns Sevens have been crowned World Series champions after crushing Australia 31-7 in the final of the winner-takes-all season ending tournament in Los Angeles. New Zealand, who led 12-0 at halftime, have now won four straight matches against Australia since the final of the Perth event. Michaela Brake. Photo: Photosport Jorja Miller, Michaela Brake, Risi Pouri-Lane, Mahina Paul and Sarah Hirini were the try-scorers for the champions. The Black Ferns Sevens had already wrapped up the overall league title after winning four of the six previous rounds, including the most recent in Singapore. New Zealand won the Cape Town, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore rounds. The top eight men's and women's teams in the standings after the Singapore event then qualified for the LA season finale. Jazmin Felix-Hotham. Photo: Alex Gallardo/ActionPress Olympic champions New Zealand beat hosts the United States 34-7 in the semi-finals. Michaela Brake scored a hat-trick of tries for the Black Ferns Sevens against the US with Jorja Miller, Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Sarah Hirini the other players to dot down. The Black Ferns Sevens had already wrapped up the overall league title after winning four of the six previous World Series events, including the last three in a row before LA. New Zealand won the Cape Town, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore rounds. The All Blacks Sevens were beaten 31-5 by South Africa in the men's semi-finals and eventually finished third after overcoming Argentina 38-17 in the bronze medal playoff. It's the New Zealand men's first podium finish this World Series season. South Africa will play Spain in the men's final.
1News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Black Ferns sevens crowned world champions in Los Angeles
The Black Ferns sevens have done the double - adding the world championships to their series season victory by thrashing Australia 31-7 in the final in Los Angeles today. The Olympic gold medallists dominated their rivals from the start, with Jorja Miller and Michaela Brake scoring first-half tries in an attacking effort that was inspired by the team's superb defence. The Australians struggled to break out of their territory in the first half and, while they struck first after the break via Mackenzie Davis' long-range try, they had few other ideas about how to break through New Zealand's wall. Tries from Risi Pouri-Lane and Mahina Paul quickly restored the Black Ferns' advantage, with skipper Sarah Hirini showing a rare touch of emotion as she celebrated scoring her team's fifth and final try. It means New Zealand has won 21 matches in a row. 'I don't show much emotion but it probably showed how much it meant,' Hirini said on the broadcast afterwards. 'After the Olympic gold medal we wanted to show that we are a great team by winning the league and winning the series and we did it and I'm [very] excited about it.' Australia, the second seeds, could not cope with New Zealand's physicality and speed, with 21-year-old Miller and Brake standouts. In the earlier match, the New Zealand men beat Argentina 38-17 to win the bronze medal – their first podium place of the season. Argentina have won their last four matches against New Zealand but failed to make the most of second-half yellow cards for Rob Rush and Sofai Maka for high and late tackles respectively. The All Blacks sevens lost to Spain in a pool match and South Africa in their semifinal but saved their best performance for their last. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scored three tries and kicked three conversions for New Zealand, who led 24-5 at halftime.
