Latest news with #RikiFlutey
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns make strong first impression on new coach
Black Ferns loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Riki Flutey is new to the Black Ferns coaching staff and he likes what he sees as the team prepares for their first test of the year. The former Māori All Blacks and British and Irish Lions international has joined the team as backs and skills coach, replacing former All Black Mike Delany, who quit as an assistant coach at the end of last year. "I'm really excited," Flutey said ahead of the Black Ferns first test of the year against Australia this weekend in Newcastle, which doubles as the opening O'Reilly Cup match and first Pacific Four game of the series. Riki Flutey playing for England. Photo: Olly Greenwood It will mark the start of the World Champions journey towards this year's World Cup in England in August and September, where the Black Ferns will seek to defend their crown against the likes of the World No.1 ranked hosts. Flutey believes the early signs are good for New Zealand. "From my point of view we had a really good week last week in Wellington growing our game, but it was also really important around making connections within the squad," Flutey said. "We've got a number of new and exciting players in the team and also some really strong experienced players, so connection was a really big focus for us and for myself being the first time in the environment." This week the team is in Newcastle and preparations have taken on a sharper focus. "This week is test week, so we're still focusing on growing our game, but also implementing how we want to play on both sides of the ball." Flutey said while there were several proven performers and previous World Cup winners in the squad such as playmaker Ruahei Demant and loose forward Kennedy Tukuafu, no one is guaranteed a place in the side. There are three players that could make their Black Ferns debuts in the Pacific Four series; prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, hooker Vici-Rose Green and fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Braxton Sorensen-McGee Photo: Photosport Sevens stars Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included in the squad but Miller, Waaka and Pouri-Lane will join the squad in Christchurch ahead of the Black Ferns test against Canada. "There's certainly room for people to come in and stamp their mark, 100 percent," Flutey said. "We will name a World Cup squad later on and there are plenty of opportunities for players to push their way into the top team. "There's a number of stars coming through. They're all competing for spots and the players that have been here in this team for a few seasons now, they're not being complacent because they know that they've got lots of competition." Flutey knows the Black Ferns have plenty of work to do to retain the O'Reilly Cup, reclaim the Pacific Four title they lost last season to Canada and get themselves to a level of performance capable of winning the World Cup. "It's a really exciting space for me to come into this environment. What I've observed over the last week-and-a-half and also throughout the Super Rugby Aupiki competition is that we've got some talent. "We've got some talent in New Zealand, got some talent in the squad to play some really, really exciting footy." First up is Australia, who beat Fiji last weekend. Flutey believes they will push the Black Ferns, who are heavy favourites, in Newcastle. "Australia had a had a fantastic win against Fiji. They love to move the ball around. "They attack space really well through a triple threat, meaning they've got kickers in their team that can they can kick the ball to space. They've got hardworking forwards. "It's going to be a really tough challenge." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
29-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Ferns: Ruby Tui on ‘furious' start to test camp with Pacific Four squad on the horizon
The 49-strong camp has seen a mix of established and rising talent come together, with players rewarded for strong performances during the Super Rugby Aupiki season, as well as some being integrated into the XVs programme from sevens. '[It's a] really big opportunity this year and it's probably the first World Cup that we've got direct funnelling into our team via, you know, we've got the Next Ferns programme, we've got Aupiki up and running, people know that they can come here and play and make a name for themselves now,' Tui said. 'Talking to the young girls, they're moving cities, they're doing whatever it takes to crack this team, so it's just [a] different feel this year. It's awesome.' The Black Ferns go into the World Cup year with a new member of the coaching team, with former England first five-eighths Riki Flutey filling the void left by Mike Delany's exit late last year. With coach Allan Bunting having stressed the importance of a strong kicking game over the past few years, Flutey's involvement in the group will be a welcome addition – and Tui noted it would be beneficial for the backline in particular. 'To have somebody brought in like that, resourcing us like that, it's been pretty amazing and I think if you look at the kicking game in the women's game internationally, territory is huge, you know, so tactically, we've got a gem in Riki.' The Black Ferns come into the World Cup year on the back of a tough end-of-year tour last season that saw them drop two tests against England and one against Ireland, after they were beaten by Canada earlier in the year. Discover more They finished the season with four wins from eight tests, however, speaking to the Herald earlier this month, Bunting said the team took plenty away from the year and knew what needed to be addressed in 2025. That was a sentiment shared by Tui. 'I think it really helps when you've got a campaign plan, which Bunts, you know, he took a lot of time and he really talked about that a lot, he thought about it a lot,' she said. 'High competition, like you need it every single minute that you boot up or that you wake up, you need competition in there, which is awesome because everyone's come back to tautoko [support] that kaupapa [initiative]. 'You need to get on the same page and, man, the leadership team in this group – Alana Bremner, Kennedy Simon [now Kennedy Tukuafu], Ruahei Demant – like just amazing human beings, really humble people, really hardworking people, so really good leadership team in here as well. 'I've been watching all the games around the world and I'm so excited.'
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Flutey among Black Ferns coaches for Rugby World Cup
Former England and British and Irish Lions player Riki Flutey has been announced as the latest addition to the New Zealand women's national team coaching 45, will serve as the backs and skills coach as the Black Ferns prepare for this year's Rugby World Cup. He joins a group that includes performance director Allan Bunting, rugby lead and attack coach Tony Christie, defence coach Steve Jackson and forwards coach Dan Cron. The Black Ferns are aiming for a historic seventh World Cup triumph in the tournament to be played in England from 22 August to 27 September. "It's truly an honour to be in this environment with the Black Ferns," Flutey said. "I look to use my playing experiences and knowledge wherever I can add value to help grow each individual as we start building towards the Rugby World Cup."A lot of these players here in camp inspired my daughter Madison to play rugby several years ago now, so it's special to be able to give back directly to those who inspired her."Flutey, born in New Zealand, became the first player to play for and against the British and Irish Lions in 2009, when he faced the Maori All Blacks, who he previously represented between 2002 and 2005. The centre also played for London Irish and Wasps after moving to play in England in 2005.
