Latest news with #PortiaWoodman
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby live updates: Black Ferns v USA
American star Ilona Maher and Black Ferns legend Portia Woodman will square off at North Harbour Stadium. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport The Black Ferns need a big win to seize back the Pacific Four title, after their draw last weekend against Canada. Standing in their way are the American women, with social media superstar Ilona Maher starting at centre. Kickoff is 3:35pm NZT.
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Ferns to play fear-free footy
Ayesha Leti-I'iga of the Black Ferns celebrates her try during the womens rugby match, New Zealand Black Ferns v Canada at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Photosport Expect the shackles to come off the Black Ferns this Saturday. With points differential set to decide the fate of the Pacific Four title, a throwing caution to the wind approach will likely be adopted against the USA at Albany, as New Zealand look to reclaim the crown they lost in 2024. Coach Steve Jackson said he will encourage fear-less footy from the Ferns. "That's in our DNA, isn't it? To run the ball and see the opportunities that arise and look what's in front of us and play. Obviously there's a game that goes before us and we'll know where we need us to sit and what we need to do. But look, if we can do the little things right and do the simple things right, then those points will come." But as seen on Saturday, the tactic can have ramifications, with Portia Woodman attempting to run the ball out from her dead ball line, only for Canada to win the turnover and ultimately score. However Jackson said it was important that they did not discourage the natural flair of their players. "We always encourage that first and foremost. We don't want to coach that sort of rugby out of them. We want them to play. We want Portia to do that because when she does that, it lifts the team. But we've just got to be smart at times around after someone does something like that." He said there has been a palpable energy in the squad this week. Claire Gallagher of Canada is tackled by Ayesha Leti-I'iga of the Black Ferns. Photo: Photosport "The way the girls are training, you would've thought that we lost. So that's a good thing to have and there's a bit of fire in their belly this week. There is not only a point to prove, but there's points to prove within the squad when you get an opportunity, you've got to take it because selections obviously heading into a World Cup." Jackson hinted at wider squad members getting a run against the States. "We're looking at trying to give everybody some game time throughout the squad because it's really important because after this, we've only got two games before we head into the World Cup. So there'll be people that will probably get a little bit of an opportunity." Among those to get a shot at re-establishing herself is Chelsea Bremner, recalled following an injury to Dhys Faleafaga after she was left out of the first squad of the year. "It was obviously really tough not getting named, but there's a huge amount of depth and lots of competition within positions now, which I think is why we're so good, everyone's pushing each other to be better." Bremner said the side has already shown significant improvement, as they slowly build towards their pinnacle event in England. "Comparing ourselves even to last year, just the learning's that we've made, also the fact that we've had another whole year of being professional athletes. I think that really shows in our physical game, but also our game awareness, our game smarts, and also I guess just that experience as well, we just can't wait to see where we'll be in another six months." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe comes out of retirement for Rugby World Cup
Black Fern Portia Woodman scores for New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Wales. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Black Ferns legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is stepping out of international retirement with sights set on a third Rugby World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe has signed an eight-month contract with NZ Rugby and is set to join the Black Ferns in their first assembly this weekend. More to come... Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Guardian
17-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
NSW Waratahs suffer heavy loss to Auckland Blues in Super Rugby Women's Champions final
They're the cream of the crop when it comes to Australian women's rugby, but the NSW Waratahs have been given a massive reality check after suffering a 36-5 loss to the Auckland-based Blues. Trans-Tasman bragging rights were on the line for Thursday's inaugural Super Rugby Women's Champions final and it was NZ champions the Blues who came up trumps in a six-tries-to-one onslaught. Wet and windy conditions greeted the players for the clash in Auckland, and the scoreline read 31-0 before the Waratahs finally crossed for a try in the 74th minute. The pace and power of the Blues were simply too much for the Waratahs to handle. Blues fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a first-half double, including a slicing run in which she shook off two tacklers in her sprint to the line. The scoreline read 19-0 at half-time, and it was game over in the 54th minute when Portia Woodman crossed to make it 24-0. The only joy for the Waratahs came when winger Desiree Miller sprinted on to a clever chip kick to touch down for the visitors with six minutes remaining in the match. The final result was a big downer for the Waratahs, who just last week claimed their sixth Super W title with a 43-21 win over the Queensland Reds. 'Well done to the Blues, because they played exceptionally,' the Waratahs captain, Emily Chancellor, told Stan. 'As you might be able to tell from the way we played, we haven't had a lot of practice in those sorts of conditions in Australia this season. 'It was a really difficult game, but it was also really fun.' Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The Waratahs found it tough going in the wet conditions at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium. The Blues captain, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, was thrilled with the win, which came on the back of her team winning the Super Rugby Aupiki crown for the second straight season. 'We are so happy to be here and take the W,' Roos said. 'We've worked hard all season and to have the opportunity to play against our Tasman sisters was really cool. 'It's a really big step towards growing the game.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blues crush Tahs to snare Trans-Tasman Women's crown
They're the cream of the crop when it comes to Australian women's rugby, but the NSW Waratahs have been given a massive reality check after suffering a 36-5 loss to the Auckland-based Blues. Trans-Tasman bragging rights were on the line for Thursday's inaugural Super Rugby Women's Champions Final, and it was NZ champions the Blues who came up trumps in a six-tries-to-one onslaught. Wet and windy conditions greeted the players for the clash in Auckland, and the scoreline read 31-0 before the Waratahs finally crossed for a try in the 74th minute. The pace and power of the Blues were simply too much to handle. Blues fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored a first-half double, including a slicing run in which she shook off two tacklers in her sprint to the line. An incredible try by Braxton Sorensen-McGee to break the deadlock in the Champions Final 🔥#SuperW — RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) April 17, 2025 The scoreline read 19-0 at half-time, and it was game over in the 54th minute when Portia Woodman crossed to make it 24-0. The only joy for the Waratahs came when winger Desiree Miller sprinted onto a clever chip kick to touch down for the visitors with six minutes remaining in the match. The final result was a big downer for the Waratahs, who just last week claimed their sixth Super W title with a 43-21 win over the Queensland Reds. "Well done to the Blues, because they played exceptionally," Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor told Stan. "As you might be able to tell from the way we played, we haven't had a lot of practice in those sorts of conditions in Australia this season. "It was a really difficult game, but it was also really fun." Blues captain Maiakawanakaulani Roos was thrilled with the win, which came on the back of her team winning the Super Rugby Aupiki crown for the second straight season. "We are so happy to be here and take the W," Roos said. "We've worked hard all season and to have the opportunity to play against our Tasman sisters was really cool. "It's a really big step towards growing the game."
