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RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Ruby Tui says she would do anything for the Black Ferns
Ruby Tui with fans after the game. Photo: Matthew Impey / Ruby Tui loves the Black Ferns and would do anything to see them succeed. The 33-year-old missed selection when Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting named his squad in May for the Pacific Four series, but she played in the trial game between the Black Ferns and a Black Ferns XV last weekend. She was then called into the squad as injury cover . She's been named on the bench for Saturday's O'Reilly Cup game against Australia, which kicks off the double header in Wellington before the All Blacks take on France. Ruby Tui in action for the Chiefs Manawa. Photo: Photosport The 2022 World Cup star said she was always ready if the Black Ferns called. "That's what I've said to Bunts all along… if you need someone to clean the boots and run the water, that's me. I love footy and I love this team." And she never gave up on playing for the Black Ferns again. "Day or night, whenever the phone call comes, if it's 2am, I'm there. You can't call pinnacle events, I got the bloody mumps for Comm Games, random stuff happens, so I've just got to put my head down and stay ready for this jersey," Tui said. The outside back would love to attend another World Cup, but she insisted she wouldn't mind if she missed out on selection. She said if she was not one of the top players in her position, she shouldn't go to England. "It feels different for me, this one. I don't feel no pressure," Tui said. "I want the best squad to go over there. I want off-field to be so connected, we understand this is going to take everything. "Everybody is getting paid now, it's not tiddlywinks no more, its pretty serious. If its me, its me, I just hope everyone who straps in, is like 'we're going to do something pretty serious'." Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Bunting said Tui's presence and experience were valuable assets for the Black Ferns. "Off the field is massive and her leadership... her attitude through the hubs back home and the Black Ferns XV when she was with them last week and what she's done when she's come back here, I've been really impressed with her." Saturday's clash with Australia is the Black Ferns' final test before this year's World Cup in England, with Bunting naming his World Cup squad on 25 July in Wellington. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
10-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Ferns v Wallaroos: Ruby Tui, Kelly Brazier make test returns as five ruled out with injury
As the Black Ferns prepare for their final test before World Cup selection, opportunity has presented itself to players still looking to stake their claim. A string of injuries have seen director of performance Allan Bunting turn to the depth in his squad for Saturday's test against the Wallaroos
RNZ News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Ruby Tui again misses Black Ferns selection
Ruby Tui playing for the Chiefs Manawa. Photo: Photosport Ruby Tui a star of the Black Ferns 2022 World Cup win, appears on the outer when it comes to selection for this year's World Cup in England. Tui has missed selection for the Black Ferns 33 strong squad for next month's test against Australia in Wellington. The Black Ferns will also play in a trial game against a Black Ferns XV. Tui also failed to make the squad for the recent Pacific Four Series. There are four changes from the Pacific Four Series with Renee Holmes and Kelly Brazier recalled to the squad and potential Test debuts for Matatū Laura Bayfield and Chiefs loose forward Mia Anderson. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Mererangi Paul are unavailable due to injury with Alana Bremner stepping into the co-captaincy role alongside Ruahei Demant. "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. 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," coach Allan Bunting said. The Black Ferns squad for the July Series is: 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, Midfield 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. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Coach keen to see how debutantes do in US clash
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has pulled the trigger on testing his newcomers in a must-win clash against the United States. Otago halfback Maia Joseph moves to the bench with Black Ferns sevens star Risaleaana Pouri-Lane getting her chance in the No 9 jersey. Sevens team-mate Jorja Miller will inject plenty of speed around the breakdown in her first start on the openside, and Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka — who played at the Rugby World Cup in 2021 — make up the midfield. Chiefs Manawa front-rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green are also in line for their first tests. Joseph is joined on the bench by Matatu team-mates Hannah King and Chelsea Bremner — who was called in as injury cover — while Alana Bremner, Kaipo-Olsen Baker and Georgia Ponsonby, playing her 30th test, get the start. Young Braxton Sorensen-McGee gets her third consecutive start at fullback in a breakout year, Katelyn Vahaakolo returns to the left wing and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is on the other. Sylvia Brunt will make her impact off the bench, as will co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, in her 30th game. Bunting said it would be a special moment to welcome four debutantes this weekend. "Veisinia and Vici-Rose have been with us since our first training camp," Bunting said. "They have worked hard and done the learning, while showing their commitment to the team by helping them prepare for the last two tests. It's now their time. "Jorja and Risaleaana, who joined us last week following their successful sevens World Series campaign, have slotted in seamlessly. "They are great humans and diligent athletes. We look forward to watching them do their thing this weekend." The Black Ferns scored a last-gasp try against Canada last week to settle for a 27-27 draw in their second Pacific Four series clash. It sets up an intriguing finish for the series, where the Black Ferns at present lead the standings on points difference. The Black Ferns will face a gritty United States side, who are winless after their 27-19 loss to the Wallaroos last weekend. They earlier lost 26-14 to Canada. United States star Ilona Maher — the most followed rugby player online — has made the switch to rugby union after winning bronze with the sevens team at the Olympics last year and is sure to draw a crowd at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow. Bunting felt the Canada clash was a good challenge for his side to tidy up areas they needed to be better in and was confident in how they were tracking ahead of the World Cup later in the year. "Pac four has been a valuable start for us moving into World Cup preparations. We've laid down the foundations and built stronger connections on and off the field."
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Sevens stars to feature in Black Ferns' Pacific Four decider
Jorja Miller of New Zealand scores a try. Photo: AAP / Four debutantes, including two sevens stars, have been named in the Black Ferns line-up for their last Pacific Four (PAC4) game against the US in Albany on Saturday. Olympic gold medal winning sevens players Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane will start at openside flanker and half-back respectively. Chiefs Manawa front rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green are the other two debutantes, with Mahutariki-Fakalelu starting and Green on the bench. There are eight changes to the starting XV from the side that drew with Canada last weekend. In the front row, prop Mahutariki-Fakalelu will start alongside Kate Henwood and hooker Georgia Ponsonby who celebrates her 30th Test milestone. Miller, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and Kaipo Olsen-Baker form the loose-forward trio. Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka combine in the midfield for their first test since starring in the Rugby World Cup Final in 2022, while there is an all-Blues back three of Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of the Black Ferns in action against Canada, 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said he was excited to provide them with the opportunity. "We are delighted to see our four players get a chance to don this black jersey for the first time. This is going to be a special moment for them to play in front of their whānau and friends. Veisinia and Vici-Rose have been with us since our first training camp. They have worked hard and done the learning, while showing their commitment to the team by helping them prepare for the last two Tests. It's now their time. "Jorja and Risaleaana, who joined us last week following their successful sevens World Series campaign, have slotted in seamlessly. They are great humans and diligent athletes, we look forward to watching them do their thing this weekend." The Black Ferns currently lead the PAC4 standings on points difference from Canada. Canada play Australia in the other game this weekend. 1. Kate Henwood 2. Georgia Ponsonby 4. Alana Bremner 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker 10. Ruahei Demant (cc) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo 12. Theresa Setefano 13. Stacey Waaka 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee 17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu 18. Tanya Kalounivale 19. Chelsea Bremner 20. Kennedy Tukuafu (cc) 21. Maia Joseph 22. Hannah King 23. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
