Latest news with #PacificFour
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ilona Maher included in USA squad for Women's Rugby World Cup
Ilona Maher has been selected in the United States squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup in England later this year. Maher, a bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics in rugby sevens, switched from the condensed format back to the 15-a-side game to press for a place at the tournament. A productive stint with Bristol Bears in Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) last season saw the 28-year-old feature both on the wing and in the centres, before she featured in the Pacific Four series earlier this summer. She has now earned inclusion in a 32-player squad named by Sione Fukofuka which also features plenty of other familiar faces from PWR. The squad is led by back row Kate Zackary, who plays her club rugby for Trailfinders Women, while Saracens co-captain Lotte Sharp offers a highly-experienced option on the wing. Prop Hope Rogers, a star with Exeter for several seasons, makes a fourth World Cup having last year become her nation's most capped women's international. 'This Rugby World Cup isn't just about us — it's about showing the next generation what's possible,' Zackary said. 'We want kids across the US to see this team and think, 'That could be me.' Rugby in America is growing, and we're here to kick that door wide open. 'This squad is driven and ready to rewrite our story. We have the opportunity to play the sport we love at the highest level — and we don't take that for granted - and are relentless in it's pursuits. We're here to elevate each other and push beyond every limit, together.' The United States take on hosts England in the opening game at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Australia and Samoa are the other two teams in Pool A.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ilona Maher included in USA squad for Women's Rugby World Cup
Ilona Maher has been selected in the United States squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup in England later this year. Maher, a bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics in rugby sevens, switched from the condensed format back to the 15-a-side game to press for a place at the tournament. A productive stint with Bristol Bears in Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) last season saw the 28-year-old feature both on the wing and in the centres, before she featured in the Pacific Four series earlier this summer. She has now earned inclusion in a 32-player squad named by Sione Fukofuka which also features plenty of other familiar faces from PWR. The squad is led by back row Kate Zackary, who plays her club rugby for Trailfinders Women, while Saracens co-captain Lotte Sharp offers a highly-experienced option on the wing. Prop Hope Rogers, a star with Exeter for several seasons, makes a fourth World Cup having last year become her nation's most capped women's international. 'This Rugby World Cup isn't just about us — it's about showing the next generation what's possible,' Zackary said. 'We want kids across the US to see this team and think, 'That could be me.' Rugby in America is growing, and we're here to kick that door wide open. 'This squad is driven and ready to rewrite our story. We have the opportunity to play the sport we love at the highest level — and we don't take that for granted - and are relentless in it's pursuits. We're here to elevate each other and push beyond every limit, together.' The United States take on hosts England in the opening game at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Australia and Samoa are the other two teams in Pool A.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Nine Matatu players in Black Ferns XV squad
Nine Matatu players have been named in the Black Ferns XV squad to tour South Africa later this month. Coach Willie Walker yesterday announced a 28-strong second-string national squad to play two games against the Springboks in Cape Town. Three of the five props - Marcelle Parkes, Maddi Robinson and Ashley Palu — played for Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki this season. Outstanding flanker Lucy Jenkins, who made her test debut in the 2023 Pacific Four series, and rookie No 8 Fiaali'i Solomona are among the loose forwards. Outside backs Winnie Palamo, Hollyrae Mete-Renata and Kaea Nepia, and young first five Hannah King, are the Matatu representatives in the backs. Black Ferns XV selection could be a mixed blessing for King. It could mean she is missing out on the Black Ferns squad heading to England to defend their World Cup crown in August-September. The Black Ferns will name a squad of 32 on July 25, and leave on August 13. King, who has 10 test caps, came off the bench in all three Pacific Four tests earlier this year to replace captain Ruahei Demant. But with veteran Kelly Brazier back in the mix, Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting may feel he has enough cover at first five. That would be a tough blow for the woman nominated for World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year award last year. Veteran winger Ruby Tui is not in the second-string squad, which may mean she has made the World Cup cut. Bay of Plenty lock Holly Greenway will captain the Black Ferns XV, selected following a trial game against the national squad. Chiefs Manawa hooker Luka Connor is the senior hand with 24 test caps. Walker said the trial had been a successful exercise ahead of the trip to Cape Town. "The trial in Whangarei was an ideal build-up for this group and helpful in assessing players and combinations. "We've selected a strong squad and it's a huge opportunity for these players to experience a touring environment and to play against a tier one international opponent." The Black Ferns XV head to South Africa on Sunday. The games will both be played at the 34,000-seat Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, on July 26 and August 2. It is the first time a New Zealand women's team has played in South Africa. Black Ferns XV Forwards: Holly Greenway (captain), Luka Connor, Grace Leaso Gago, Jordan Tihore, Marcelle Parkes, Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, Maddi Robinson, Ashley Palu, Harono Te Iringa, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Taylor, Holly Greenway, Taufa Bason, Elinor-Plum King, Fiaali'i Solomona, Lucy Jenkins, Mia Anderson. Backs: Tara Turner, Reese Anderson, Hannah King, Keira Su'a Smith, Justine McGregor, Kelsey Teneti, Leilani Hakiwai, Winnie Palamo, Hollyrae Mete-Renata, Jaymie Kolose, Kaea Nepia, Mererangi Paul.
The Guardian
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
New Zealand v Australia: women's rugby union Test
Update: Date: 2025-07-12T04:05:25.000Z Title: Team list: Australia Content: 15. Faitala Moleka 14. Waiaria Ellis 13. Charlotte Caslick 12. Trilleen Pomare 11. Desiree Miller 10. Tia Hinds 9. Layne Morgan 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra 7. Ashley Marsters 6. Siokapesi Palu (c) 5. Michaela Leonard 4. Kaitlan Leaney 3. Bridie O'Gorman 2. Tania Naden 1. Faliki Pohiva Replacements: Adiana Talakai, Lydia Kavoa, Eva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith Update: Date: 2025-07-12T04:00:02.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Hello and welcome to what is shaping up to be an exciting afternoon of rugby action! The Wallaroos are taking on the Black Ferns in windy Wellington, with the aim of causing an upset and taking their first ever win against their neighbours across the ditch. It's a huge ask – the teams last met in Newcastle in May as part of the Pacific Four series, where the Ferns claimed a 38-12 win. The Wallaroos have been an improved side in recent times, pulling off a 27-19 win over the USA during that same series, and with the addition of sevens star Charlotte Caslick into the mix this year, they have shown plenty of spark. However the Black Ferns are an incredibly formidable team, not least because they feature Portia Woodman-Wickliffe – New Zealand's leading women's fifteen-a-side try scorer of all time. With a World Cup on the horizon, this is important preparation for both teams, and though the Black Ferns are heavily favoured, the Wallaroos will be throwing everything at this match to try to pull off an unlikely win. Kick off is at 4:30pm local time (2:30pm AEST), so let's get into it!
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Nolusindiso Booi to captain experienced Springbok Women in crucial Test against Canada
Springbok Women's captain Nolusindiso Booi will lead the South Africans in the first Test against Canada on Saturday in Pretoria. Image: BackpagePix Nolusindiso Booi will lead the Springbok Women in her 51st cap when they take on second-ranked Canada on Saturday in Pretoria in one of their toughest World Cup preparation matches to date. The Bok Women selected a core of experienced players for the first of two Tests as they look to up the intensity ahead of the tournament starting next month in England. Only five players in the starting XV have less than 20 caps, but they are all in the double figures as performance coach Swys de Bruin and his assistants look to lay a strong marker at Loftus Versfeld (1.30 pm kick-off). The #BokWomen team to face Canada in Pretoria on Saturday, in what will be one of their most challenging Tests in a while - more here: 💚💛#MakeItCount #ETTIG — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 3, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Eight players have experience against Canada, with scrumhalf Tayla Kinsey, tighthead prop Babalwa Latsha, Booi, winger Jakkie Cilliers, flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg, No 8 Aseza Hele, lock Danelle Lochner and loosehead Sanelisiwe Charlie. Outside centre Zinthle Mphupa, the team's leading try scorer, and hooker Micke Gunter will start for the team for the first time this year. 'Canada is not only ranked second in the world, but they are also full of confidence after an undefeated run in the recent Pacific Four tournament,' De Bruin said with his team announcement. 'We need matches like these tough ones as we get our final plans in place ahead of the Rugby World Cup. It is all good to train well and we did so over a number of months, but now we need to test our systems and plans against Canada, who are one of the favourites to win the World Cup.' Catha Jacobs is well-aware of Canada's threats across the park, but she insists the #BokWomen are ready to bring some fire to the Test on Saturday - more here: 🔥#MakeItCount #ETTIG — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 1, 2025 However, De Bruin feels the experience they were able to select will stand the team in good stead. He's selected one of the most experienced Springbok Women's sides with 17 players in the match-day squad who have World Cup experience after playing in New Zealand. 'They will be aware of the pressure Canada put on their opponents and how well they have played in recent seasons. We are looking inward, though, for this match, and our focus will be on executing our way of play. They know it won't be easy, but Jakkie Cilliers said the #BokWomen are intent on giving it a full go when they face Canada in Pretoria on Saturday - more here: 👊#MakeItCount #ETTIG — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) June 30, 2025
