Latest news with #PortiaWoodman-Wickliffe
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Woodman-Wickliffe off to third World Cup with Black Ferns, Tui omitted
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Rugby Sevens - Women's Pool A - New Zealand vs Canada - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - July 28, 2024. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand in action with Carissa Norsten of Canada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo WELLINGTON (Reuters) -Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was selected by New Zealand for her third women's World Cup on Friday, headlining an experienced Black Ferns squad packed with players who won the last edition of the global showpiece. The prolific try-scoring winger, who came out of retirement in April for a tilt at a third-straight world title, will be joined in England by centres Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka, who were also part of the triumphant 2017 and 2022 squads. Kelly Brazier, who was part of the champion 2010 and 2017 squads but missed out on the 2022 triumph, won a recall at the age of 35 for her fourth World Cup as a backup to flyhalf Ruahei Demant. Demant will co-captain the squad with loose forward Kennedy Tukuafu, who was included despite missing two matches this month because of a knee injury. There was no place in the 32-woman squad for Ruby Tui, however, despite the winger having been the face of the 2022 tournament on home soil. Woodman-Wickliffe, teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ayesha Leti-I'iga and fullback Renee Holmes were instead selected as the outside backs. "I'd like to acknowledge the players who have missed out. Their contribution to the black jersey and to our team this year has been immense," said head coach Allan Bunting. "The level of depth and internal competition we have seen from our wider squad made the selection process very difficult, however this speaks to the growth and exciting future of women's rugby in Aotearoa." Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Katelyn Vahaakolo are among 14 players who will be playing in their first World Cup. Setefano and Waaka were among seven players from New Zealand's sevens programme who made themselves available for the World Cup in March with scrumhalf Risi Pouri-Lane and flanker Jorja Miller, the others who made the cut. The Black Ferns, ranked third in the world behind hosts England and Canada, kick off their bid for a sixth world title against Spain in York on August 24 and also play Ireland and Japan in Pool C. Squad: Forwards - Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule, Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu Backs - Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka, Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Jamie Freed)
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns World Cup squad named: few surprises but no room for Ruby
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe returns for her third World Cup. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has named his squad for the upcoming World Cup, with a settled looking 32 players set to defend their title. Despite a call up for the Black Ferns' last test, Ruby Tui has missed out on a place in the highly competitive outside back group. Unsurprisingly, all available Black Ferns Sevens players have been selected, with Jorja Miller's inclusion creating an intriguing situation in the loose forward mix. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu is seemingly assured of a starting spot, so how Miller fits in the remaining starting spots will be interesting. 35-year-old Kelly Brazier will play in her fourth World Cup after earning a late lifeline against the Wallaroos earlier this month, which was her first test since 2021. Brazier - who has played 44 tests across a 16-year career - could be playing her fifth World Cup but missed the 2022 tournament due to being in the Black Ferns Sevens side. Lock Laura Bayfield makes the squad after debuting earlier this month, she joins Maiakawanakaulani Roos, and Alana and Chelsea Bremner. Fellow Sevens stars Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano (Fitzpatrick) and Stacey Waaka return for their third World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe wasn't even supposed to be available after retiring last year and then signalling intentions to play in the NRLW, however the lure of the black jersey and another title has proven be too strong. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand during the O'Reilly Cup - New Zealand Black Ferns v Australia. Photo: Masanori Udagawa/Photosport Tukuafu is joined in the leadership by Ruahei Demant, with the Blues first five coming off back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles. This will be a challenging campaign for the Black Ferns, with England hot favourites going into their home World Cup. The tournament kicks off on 23 August when the hosts take on USA in the tournament opener, with the Black Ferns facing Spain, Japan and Ireland in their pool matches. Loosehead props : Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko Hookers: Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby Tighthead props: Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (cc) Halfbacks : Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane First five-eighths: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant (cc) Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray Black Ferns v Spain Kick-off: 4:30am Sunday 24 August York Community Stadium, York Black Ferns v Japan Kick-off: 1am Sunday 31 August Sandy Park, Exeter Black Ferns v Ireland Kick-off: 1:45am Sunday 7 September Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton Quarter-finals : 14-15 September Semi-finals: 20-21 September Final: 28 September
NZ Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Ferns v Wallaroos: New Zealand secure Laurie O'Reilly Cup in final pre-World Cup hit out victory
Black Ferns 37 Wallaroos 12 A dominant second half and a birthday hat-trick by Portia Woodman-Wickliffe have painted over some cracks in the Black Ferns' win over Australia as preparations for their Rugby World Cup defence wrap up. On a blustery, wet Saturday afternoon at Wellington's Sky Stadium, the defending
NZ Herald
02-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe on life after rugby and her King's Birthday honour
Fifteen-year-old Portia Woodman-Wickliffe stood in the Mount Albert Grammar School hall dreaming of her name going up on the sports honours board. Little did she know, 18 years later, she would receive a King's Birthday honour. 'It's such a crazy, crazy idea,' Woodman-Wickliffe told the Herald. 'I'm extremely
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe marks Black Ferns return with seven-try showing
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Ireland, who beat the Black Ferns in last year's WXV1, will meet New Zealand in the third game of their World Cup Pool C campaign in September. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the team produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first Test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the US by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with Sevens standout Jorja Miller (above) also on fire on her Test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. New Zealand have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada. Scott Bemand's Ireland side will play World Cup warm-ups against Scotland and Canada at the start of August. They face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C of the World Cup in August and September.
