2 days ago
Former Otago star Brazier set for international return at 35
If you are good enough, you are young enough.
Former Otago star Kelly Brazier is making an international comeback — sort of — at the age of 35.
Brazier was yesterday named in a 33-strong Black Ferns squad for a trial game against their second-stringers and the test against Australia next month.
The 42-test veteran has not played for the Black Ferns in the 15-a-side game since 2021.
To be fair, though, she has not been far from the big stage.
Brazier has been a long-time member of the national sevens squad, winning bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and
silver at the Sevens World Cup the same year.
They added to her jaw-dropping trophy haul that includes two Sevens World Cups, two Women's Rugby World Cups, Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medals, and seven World Series sevens titles.
Brazier, a crafty first or second five, made her Super Rugby Aupiki comeback with Chiefs Manawa this year.
She was born and raised in Dunedin, attending Otago Girls' High School.
She famously scored a record 64 points (10 tries and seven conversions) for Alhambra-Union in a club game, and she holds the Farah Palmer Cup record for the 45 points she scored for the Otago Spirit against Hawke's Bay in 2012.
Brazier, who has two children with wife Tahlia, was named at second five in the World Rugby women's team of the 2010-19 decade.
She has some serious pedigree on the rugby field.
Ruahei Demant and Hannah King are the incumbent first fives, and there are some strong options in midfield, but Brazier has the sort of experience that cannot easily be matched.
There are four changes in the Black Ferns squad from the Pacific Four series.
Matatu lock Laura Bayfield and Chiefs Manawa loose forward Mia Anderson will hope to make their test debuts, while experienced fullback Renee Holmes is recalled alongside Brazier.
Bayfield, who played for the inaugural Black Ferns XV in 2023, had a big impact in her first Aupiki season, while Anderson has come back from maternity leave.
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Mererangi Paul are unavailable due to injury, so Alana Bremner steps into the co-captaincy role alongside Demant.
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting said selections were based on consistency.
'At this stage of our World Cup journey, internal competition has been intense and selections are getting tougher as our wider squad have put in the work," Bunting said.
"Renee has come back and shown real growth, Kelly gives us experience and depth at 10 adding to our kicking game, while Mia and Laura have consistently been impressive."
All members of the Black Ferns squad will play in the trial game against the Black Ferns XV in Whangarei on Saturday.
King, Bayfield and halfback Iritana Hohaia will play for the second-stringers before rejoining the Black Ferns for the test against Australia in Wellington on July 12. Black Ferns
The squad
Props: Chryss Viliko, Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Tanya Kalounivale, Amy Rule, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu.
Hookers: Georgia Ponsonby, Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green.
Locks: Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bremner, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Chelsea Bremner, Laura Bayfield.
Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Layla Sae, Jorja Miller, Mia Anderson.
Halfbacks: Maia Joseph, Iritana Hohaia, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.
First fives: Ruahei Demant, Hannah King, Kelly Brazier.
Midfielders: Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano.
Outside backs: Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Renee Holmes, Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
