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RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Black Ferns co-captain backing sevens stars to make an impact
Kennedy Tukuafu in action against the Wallaroos. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ A few sevens stars are set to be unleashed for the Black Ferns this weekend and co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu can't wait to see what they can do. Sevens players Jorja Miller, Risi Pouri-Lane, Stacey Waaka have yet to play for the Black Ferns XVs during the Pacific Four series, with the trio only joining the side ahead of last week's 27-27 draw with Canada in Christchurch. Jorja Miller and Risi Pouri-Lane playing for the Black Ferns Sevens at the Paris Olympics. Photo: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP Assistant coach Steve Jackson said last week the sevens women would get a run at some point during the Pacific Four, and with New Zealand's last game of the series this weekend against the US in Albany, it's now or never. Loose forward Tukuafu is expecting big things from Miller and co. "They're just the ultimate professionals. They're full-time. They're fit. They're fast. They're strong. They're just a delight to be around. They make everybody better because we all have to work harder. "Off the field, they're just a laugh. They bring that human element. It's really nice to be able to take advice from them, but also them coming to us XVs players, and we're giving them as much advice as we can. It's a really nice environment to be able to build off each other." Kennedy Tukuafu of the Black Ferns after the 27-27 draw with Canada in Christchurch. 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Last week, Jackson said the sevens players would be ready to play "in terms of their physicality and their strength and conditioning", but said they had a lot to learn in terms of adapting to the XVs game and the Black Ferns' style of play. Tukuafu believes the sevens players have adjusted quickly, and says the size of the occasion - being a must-win game for the Black Ferns as they seek to win back the Pacific Four title from Canada - won't affect them. The Black Ferns Sevens are back-to-back Olympic champions and have played on some of the biggest stages in sport. Tukuafu believes that experience will be invaluable for the Black Ferns XVs. "Yeah, absolutely. When we have games they give us that advice - stuff like sleeping in. They just know how to prepare for big moments like that, so it's nice to have them in our back pocket." Saturday's test at North Harbour Stadium is the Black Ferns' second-to-last before the World Cup, which kicks off in England in August. Tukuafu said the world champion New Zealanders are working hard in several areas including their set piece and defence. "There's heaps. We've always got to be ready to go to battle at training. We're working hard on our scrums and lineouts. On defence, we've got a really good system and it's just about making sure we stay disciplined in those moments. "Other things that we're focusing on is our kicking game and we've come leaps and bounds from last season." Claire Gallagher of Canada is tackled by Ayesha Leti-I'iga of the Black Ferns. Photo: Photosport New Zealand and Canada are tied at the top of the Pacific Four standings with one round remaining. The Black Ferns host the US on Saturday, with Canada taking on the Wallaroos in Brisbane on Friday night. That gives the Black Ferns the luxury of knowing what they need to do to take back the Pacific Four title. However, Canada are expected to win against Australia and the Black Ferns will want to beat the US by as many points as they can to give themselves the best possible chance of taking the Pacific Four title. The United States fell to a 27-19 loss to Australia last weekend, but Tukuafu said there's no room for complacency in the Black Ferns squad. "We obviously watched the game against Australia, which was a physical one. Test match rugby is always different. Teams always turn up to try and out muscle you and out run you. "We just want to make sure that we're really tight as a pack and we keep that consistent line speed on defence and just tidy up those ball handling areas. I have confidence in us and when we do those things well we come away on the right side." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller ready to make her mark in 15s
Black Ferns Sevens star Jorja Miller. Photo: Photosport She concedes she has a lot to learn, but Jorja Miller is ready to push for a place at this year's Rugby World Cup. The Black Ferns Sevens star has made the switch to 15s ahead of the showpiece tournament, which starts in England in August, and has been picked in the Black Ferns squad for the Pacific Four Series alongside fellow New Zealand Sevens players Risi Pouri-Lane, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano and Dhys Faleafaga. New Zealand's Jorja Miller (R) is consoled by Stacey Waaka during their quarter-final against Australia at the Perth leg of the sevens world series. Photo: Photosport Miller, Waaka and Pouri-Lane joined the Black Ferns this week ahead of Saturday's clash with Canada in Christchurch after missing last weekend's win over Australia in the opening Pacific Four match in Newcastle. "It's really exciting for me. I started playing 15s. So to be back in this group and playing this game is really exciting. We got to try on the black jersey yesterday for photos, which was really exciting," Miller said. "Me and Rissi (Pouri-Lame) were pretty over the moon being here for the first time. Hopefully we get a chance to put that jersey on this year." Waaka has won two World Cups with the Black Ferns 15s, while Feleafaga played two tests in 2021 and came off the bench for her third cap last Saturday in Newcastle. Miller and Pouri-Lane are uncapped at test level. They seem certain to play at some point during the Pacific Four, though it's unclear if that will be against Canada this weekend or against the United States the following week at North Harbour Stadium, the Black Ferns final match of the series. "They will get game time, it just depends on when," Black Ferns defence coach Steve Jackson said. "We've got a couple more days to get through (before team naming), so we'll see how we go." Jackson said the sevens players would be ready to play "in terms of their physicality and their strength and conditioning", but said they had plenty to learn in terms of adapting to the 15s game and the Black Ferns style of play. "They only came in on Sunday night," Jackson said. "Understanding our tech maps, defensive systems. You know, there's a lot more to go through in a 15s game than there is in a sevens game. We've got different variations in line outs, different numbers in line outs, defensive walls etc. It goes on. So there's a lot more learning to be done this week. "We really want to set them up to succeed. We don't want to set them up to go out there and not be a 100 percent confident." Miller understands there's plenty to absorb, but she's quick to make it clear she started out in 15s and has played plenty of rugby union. "A lot of learning, but it's exciting. At the end of the day, it's just rugby," Miller said. "We have been putting pen to paper (doing homework), but the girls really support us out there and just back our abilities to perform." Jorja Miller. Photo: Photosport Miller concedes moving into the forward pack in 15s will be her biggest challenge. "Coming into the forwards, it will be the physicality. I'm used to sevens, used to little bodies and heaps of space. "Now it's kind of the hit them ups, the bigger bodies, the big tackles, but I think that excites me being an openside flanker. I love that stuff. I love the dirty work around the rucks and getting over the ball. So, yeah, I'm excited for that." Miller, from Timaru, will have plenty of fans in the stands in Christchurch if she does make her Black Ferns 15s debut. "It's nice to come into camp in Christchurch and be close to my family," Miller said. "I went to school up here, so to catch up with a lot of friends, it's been cool." Saturday's clash with Canada shapes as a grudge match after the Black Ferns were beaten by the North Americans last year in Christchurch. That 22-19 defeat meant New Zealand failed to retain their Pacific Four title and also robbed the Black Ferns of their World No.2 ranking. Jackson said redemption has played a role in the build-up to this weekend's test, though it hasn't dominated it. "We don't like to lose. I know that the players will be up for it. They will have that little bit between their teeth and a little bit of redemption and there'll be that feeling of payback and those sorts of things. First and foremost they've got to concentrate on the things that we've been working on this week. If they can do those really well, hopefully we'll get the outcome that we're looking for."
