Latest news with #ChiefsManawa
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.
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Mia Anderson set for her Black Ferns debut on home patch
Mia Anderson has been named at blindside for the Black Ferns as they face a Black Ferns XV in a trial match. Photo: Photosport In the region where she would emulate her rugby heroes as a child, Mia Anderson returns home to Northland on Saturday to realise her Black Ferns dream. Born in Kerikeri, Anderson knew as young as four years old what she wanted to be. Her journey to that goal was put on pause for the birth of her child, but has resumed with a rapid ascension to the national side. "I've played rugby since I was a little kid. Obviously, this has always been the dream. Then I had my son and I kind of put it on hold and then once I returned to rugby after my baby, this has definitely been the dream. So, it's pretty special to be here." Returning from maternity leave in 2024 with Chiefs Manawa, Anderson has been named at blindside for the Black Ferns as they get set to take on the Black Ferns XV in a trial match. Though not officially a test debut, the moment is just as special. "I'm so grateful to be in here with all these amazing women. Yeah, honestly, there's just no words. I'm just really grateful to be in such a cool environment with such amazing coaches and amazing players." New Black Fern Mia Anderson. Photo: Photosport While she was elated with the news, the call didn't exactly come out of the blue. "I was at home, I had been waiting by the phone all day, hoping." The debut also doubles as a homecoming for Anderson, who was selected to play FPC as a 17-year-old. "I played for Northland first while I was at school and just a really proud Northland girl, so I'm so lucky to be going back there." She is expecting to see plenty of familiar faces in the crowd cheering for her. "There's so many. I've been begging everyone for tickets, there'll be a big group of family there, a loud fan club." The 23-year-old said she was still in awe of some of her new team-mates. "I've been around them for a couple years now, which still seems surreal that they're just your team-mate. I used to watch highlight videos of some of them when I was a kid, which is a little while ago. It's unreal." With the World Cup on the horizon, Anderson is determined to stake a claim in the Black Ferns stacked loose forward stocks. "I'm really excited to show what I can do. I really want to be there. Obviously, I think everyone does, so yeah, I just keep putting my best foot forward and fingers crossed." Black Ferns vs Black Ferns XV trial Kick off 1.05pm at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei. Saturday 5 July Black Ferns squad 1. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu 2. Atlanta Lolohea 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu 4. Alana Bremner (Co-captain) 5. Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu 6. Mia Anderson 7. Layla Sae 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 9. Maia Joseph 10. Kelly Brazier 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i Sylvia Brunt 13. Stacey Waaka 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee Bench: 16. Kate Henwood 17. Vici-Rose Green 18. Tanya Kalounivale 19. Chelsea Bremner 20. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 21. Jorja Miller 22. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane 23. Ruahei Demant (Co-Captain) 24. Ayesha Leti-I'iga 25. Theresa Setefano 26. Amy du Plessis 27. Renee Holmes 28. Chryss Viliko 29. Georgia Ponsonby 30. Amy Rule Black Ferns director of performance: Allan Bunting Black Ferns XV 1. Krystal Murray 2. Luka Connor 3. Ashley Palu 4. Laura Bayfield 5. Sam Taylor 6. Holly Greenway (Captain) 7. Elinor-Plum King 8. Taufa Bason 9. Iritana Hohaia 10. Hannah King 11. Jaymie Kolose 12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata 13. Kelsey Teneti 14. Ruby Tui 15. Kaea Nepia Bench: 16. Grace Leaso Gago 17. Jordy Tihore 18. Marcelle Parkes 19. Maddi Robinson 20. Harono Te Iringa 21. Cheyenne Tuli-Fale 22. Lucy Jenkins 23. Fiaali'i Solomona 24. Reese Anderson 25. Keira Su'a-Smith 26. Justine McGregor 27. Winnie Palamo 28. Tara Turner Black Ferns XV head coach Willie Walker Mia Anderson scoring for Waikato in the FPC. Photo: DJ Mills /
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Levin Domain Open To Public From Dawn To Dusk
The Levin Domain has long been a beating heart of sport and spirit, and now the gates to this beloved space are being flung open during daylight hours. From scrums to picnics, Council is eager to learn how the community uses this space as it looks to enhance the domain and ensure it is enjoyed now and in the future. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden says the opening of the domain ties into the work being done to transform the Levin Town Centre. 'The domain is a fantastic piece of green space in a great location right in the middle of town,' he says. 'Allowing our community to make the most of this space aligns with the Levin Town Centre Transformation vision to create an attractive and vibrant urban town centre environment. 'We must extend our thanks to the sports clubs and groups based at the domain, who are welcoming the community into this space. Let's reward that trust by making sure we treat the domain with the respect it deserves.' The Domain has a rich sporting history. The Hurricanes and Crusaders have graced its field, as well as the Chiefs Manawa and Hurricanes Poua. Cricket, too, has previously carved its mark, starting with Horowhenua's 1966 Hawke Cup challenge, the Domain hosted List A matches in the 1980s and 1990s, even welcoming Women's One Day Internationals. It is also home to the Levin tennis and squash clubs, and the Laurie Roberts Velodrome. The reopening of the domain to the public is an invitation to imagine the space in a new light, as a vibrant hub for the community to enjoy now and in the future. The Levin Domain is now open to the public daily during daylight hours. If you would like to provide feedback on how you see the domain best being used, you can email levintowncentre@
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
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.
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.
