Black Sox lose to Venezuela in Softball World Cup fin
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Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
Call-up surreal even for veteran
Kelly Brazier looked down at her phone and saw the name she did not want flashing up at her. It was Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting ringing to let his players know if they had made the Rugby World Cup squad. Brazier had been told if she got the call from a position-specific coach, she was heading to England — but if she heard from Bunting, it was not good news. "His name actually came up on my phone so initially I was like, 'oh no'. Then next minute it was 'congratulations'," Brazier told the Otago Daily Times . "Just excited, happy and ready to get into work with the rest of the girls. "It's still pretty surreal." Brazier is the veteran of the squad at 35 and will join an elite club running out for her fourth World Cup later this month. The first five, who was named at second five in the World Rugby women's team of the 2010-19 decade, has nearly done it all in her career. She is a dual World Cup winner with the Black Ferns in 2010 and 2017, and won Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals, and World Cups, as a long-serving member of the Black Ferns Sevens. But the last couple of years left the 43-test stalwart — who had not played for the Black Ferns since 2021 until last month — hungry for more. The sting of being left out of the World Cup-winning squad in 2022 remained and injuries sidelined her for the Paris Olympics sevens campaign. "It's definitely up there," she said, when asked where the 2025 World Cup selection ranked. "The disappointment of not making that World Cup squad in New Zealand — I was absolutely gutted. "The last year and a-half, I guess battling a few sort of Achilles problems ... to finally be selected again, and be injury free, and get that phone call, I was over the moon and kind of felt like the first one all over again." Brazier, who grew up in Dunedin, made her comeback in Super Rugby Aupiki with Chiefs Manawa this year, and even after 15 years as an elite athlete, it was a shock to the system. "Even with Manawa the first week I was like, 'oh my God, what am I doing?' It was so hard. "Everyone used to complain about sevens was hard, but man, going back to 15s ... I was sort of questioning myself." Brazier, who was the top scorer (48 points) at her debut World Cup in 2010, was room-mates with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe — named for her third World Cup — at the first Black Ferns camp this year. They spent many late nights wading through information and game-plan changes and soon realised they had a lot to learn compared with their early days. "We'd be up until 10, 11 o'clock at night testing each other or writing in our books," Brazier said. "There was definitely a lot to learn, and different from when we were last in here, but I guess it's the challenge we want and excited from it." That spoke to the growth of the women's game, which Brazier said had been massive during her tenure. It was not lost on her how "surreal" it was to be heading back to England, where she played her first World Cup game 15 years ago. Back then, the final was played at Twickenham Stoop with a capacity of 14,800, whereas the 2025 final will be played at Twickenham Stadium with a capacity of 82,000. "Women's rugby has made massive leaps and bounds. "I think it's only going to continue that way as well, which is exciting." When she started, the Black Ferns seldom had tests before a World Cup — "now you've got 10 in a year." Tests were crucial for building towards pinnacle events and growing the game. "What you don't know, you don't know until you're put in those situations. "To have these opportunities now, and not even just the rugby, the chance to travel the world, experience different food, different culture ... "Probably why I've stayed in the game for so long is ... the experiences you get from it as well." But there is no place like home. Brazier left Dunedin in 2013 but has fond memories of the city and returned home for Christmas with her family last year. "I love going back home. It's my roots. "Obviously born and bred and proud to be from down there, which I think a lot of people don't realise because I've been gone for so long. "I'm definitely a Dunedin girl through and through — something I'm really proud of."
NZ Herald
14 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Joe Schmidt's impact on Wallabies raises All Blacks coaching questions
THE FACTS Joe Schmidt may not relish the comparison with Chairman Mao Tsedong, but since he arrived in Australia after the last World Cup, he's taken the Wallabies on a great leap forward. In a sense, Schmidt has industrialised the Wallabies – collectivised them, too, from being disparate individuals unsure
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Rising Stars Set For OFC U-16 Women's Championship In Samoa
Press Release – OFC Defending champions New Zealand return with their sights set on another title, while hosts Samoa look to build on their impressive runner-up finish in the previous edition, buoyed by passionate home support. The stage is set in Apia for the 2025 OFC U-16 Women's Championship, as eight Pacific nations prepare to compete for regional glory and qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2027 in Morocco. Defending champions New Zealand return with their sights set on another title, while hosts Samoa look to build on their impressive runner-up finish in the previous edition, buoyed by passionate home support. At today's pre-tournament media conference, all eight teams shared a clear message: this championship is about more than results, it's a platform for growth, pride, and progress. There is plenty to play for, with the tournament winners and runners up qualifying for next year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cuyp in Morocco. Led by Juan Chang Urrea, Samoa's youthful squad enters the tournament riding a wave of national excitement following the senior team's strong showing at the OFC Women's Nations Cup. Urrea said his side are proud to represent Samoa on home soil. 'We want every team to have an amazing experience in our beautiful country. But on the field, we don't think about tomorrow, we focus on winning today.' 'This is about being examples, on and off the pitch. We'll turn gratitude into growth and make Samoa proud with every action.' Chang Urrea said. Under head coach Alana Gunn, New Zealand brings a balanced squad blending tournament experience and fresh talent. The reigning champions are focused on continuing their dominant run, while developing players for the global stage. 'Every match here teaches adaptability to different styles, to life on tour, to growing as athletes and people,' said Gunn. 'The U-17 World Cup isn't just an achievement, it's a global stage where dreams become reality. That's what we're preparing these players for.' Inspired by their senior team's historic OFC Women's Nations Cup victory, the Solomon Islands aim to channel that momentum into their youth campaign under Japanese coach Kato Yamashita. 'Our goal is to become champions, but more importantly, to connect these players with the world through football,' said Yamashita. 'The Nations Cup win showed what's possible. Now it's their turn to inspire the next generation.' With a proud footballing tradition and increasing investment in women's football, New Caledonia arrives eager to compete under head coach Kengi Vendegu. 'I want the girls to have fun on the pitch,' said Vendegu. 'Yes, World Cup qualification is at stake, but it's also about enjoying the game and showing what we've worked hard on.' Coach Marika Rondu leads a diverse squad representing the full spectrum of Fiji's development system, from veterans making a third tournament appearance to newcomers experiencing international football for the first time. 'For some of these girls, it's their first flight, their first time away from home,' Rondu explained. 'Each game is a learning opportunity, not just in football, but in life as an athlete. We're growing day by day.' Tonga coach Shinsuke Okiso brings a philosophical approach, placing emphasis on mindset, self-belief, and long-term growth. 'I don't want them to just play, I want them to leave here with greater ambition,' he said. 'Playing for the national team means playing for yourself first, then for your team. I want them to feel something real and lasting from this experience.' Making their tournament debut having won the qualifying tournament earlier this year, American Samoa marks a major milestone in the nation's footballing journey. Coach Diane Justus sees this as a pivotal moment. 'This is history for our country,' said Justus.'It's our first time reaching this level. We're here to make the nation proud and show we can compete, and grow beyond where we've been before. Under the guidance of Delphine Soret, Tahiti arrives with a focus on patience and technical development. Their approach is about building solid foundations for the future. Soret and her staff are looking for progress, composure, and growth across the tournament, laying the groundwork for long-term success. The tournament kicks off tomorrow in Apia, with Fiji playing Tahiti in the opening group A match followed by Samoa against New Caledonia.
