Latest news with #ChiefsManawa
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
How Black Ferns comebacks and versatility shaped the World Cup squad
Another to overcome injury is Kaipo Olsen-Baker. The fierce loosie was set to be a breakout star at the 2022 tournament, having debuted in that year's Pacific Four Series. However, tragedy struck when she broke her leg just two months out from the World Cup kick-off. Olsen-Baker has fought her way back into form, battling with stalwart Liana Mikaele-Tu'u for the starting 8 jersey. It'll be her pleasure and ours when she makes her World Cup debut. Redemption is also the name of the game for veteran Kelly Brazier. Selection into this squad must have felt a long way off after a disappointing omission from the Black Ferns Sevens Olympic team. However, Brazier was determined to hang up her boots on her own terms. The workhorse got back on the field where she started, playing her way up from the Farah Palmer Cup. From there Brazier secured a spot in the Chiefs Manawa and showed just enough to ensure selectors didn't write her off this time. A defining feature of Allan Bunting's time with the Black Ferns is the willingness to reward form. He has named 23 debutantes in this cycle and a good chunk of those players have made it through. Players like Kate Henwood, Chryss Viliko, Layla Sae and Katelyn Vahaakolo have become regular features of the last two seasons, while Atlanta Lolohea and Maia Joseph have more recently made key positions their own. Four players have rocketed up the ranks this season. Vici-Rose Green, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Laura Bayfield and Braxton Sorensen-McGee all burst into our living rooms this year. Bayfield is the true bolter, with a debut in the last possible test ahead of the tournament. This may feel like a lot of new blood but Smith himself debuted 12 players in the last World Cup year, ultimately selecting six of them. The team, then, is a mix of experience, of transferred sevens stars and of emerging talent. Selection has walked the tightrope between specialist and versatility. Around 40% of this squad have a second position they can play in to a high standard. We are offered a lot of flexibility at lock and back row. We have first fives who can cover second five and fullback where needed. Half of those outside backs named can cover first five, centre, wing or fullback. A lack of versatility likely counted against certain players when it came to making the final call. We only had room for two specialist wingers, and Ayesha Leti-I'iga and Katelyn Vaahakolo had been the preferred starters since 2022. When Portia Woodman-Wickliffe came out of retirement, this heavily narrowed Ruby Tui's chances. She still gave her all but this time, came up short. That's the painful part of selections, but there's no doubt Tui will be cheering this team on. So we should follow her lead, just as we did after the World Cup's final whistle and tūtira mai ngā iwi, tātou tātou e! Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad Props: Chryss Viliko, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Amy Rule, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu. Hookers: Georgia Ponsonby, Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green. Locks: Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Laura Bayfield. Loose forwards: Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Jorja Miller, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Layla Sae. Halfbacks: Risileaana Pouri-Lane, Maia Joseph, Iritana Hohaia. First-fives: Ruahei Demant, Kelly Brazier. Midfield: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano. Outside backs: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Renee Holmes. Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray. Alice Soper is a sports columnist for the Herald on Sunday. A former provincial rugby player and current club coach, she has a particular interest in telling stories of the emerging world of women's sports.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Joseph named in Black Ferns World Cup squad
Otago halfback Maia Joseph has been named in the Black Ferns squad to defend their Rugby World Cup title next month. The Otago Spirit back is among the 33-strong squad heading to England unveiled at a function in Upper Hutt this evening. It will be the first pinnacle event for the 23-year-old, who has earned 11 caps since making her international debut last year. Stalwart playmaker Kelly Brazier — who hails from Dunedin — has also been selected for her fourth World Cup, at 35, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka have been named for their third World Cup. Sevens stars Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included. Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee is the youngest to be named after the 18-year-old fullback's break out season. Matatu lock Laura Bayfield, who debuted for the Black Ferns against Australia earlier this month, has also been given the nod. She is joined by Matatu team-mates Alana and Chelsea Bremner, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Amy du Plessis. But there is no room for winger Ruby Tui, who is the big omission from the squad after being dropped earlier this year. Matatu first five Hannah King, who was nominated for world breakthrough player of the year in 2024, has also been left out of the squad and is currently in South Africa with the Black Ferns XV. The Black Ferns are the defending champions after beating England 24-21 in front of a sold out Eden Park in 2022. Sixteen players from that squad return, including co-captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu. Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting congratulated the 33 players selected. 'On behalf of the coaching group, I'd like to congratulate all our players named tonight in front of their whānau. We are really excited about this group and truly believe they can take us to the next level,' Bunting said. 'We've got vast experience across our squad, with more than half of our players having competed at pinnacle events. 'While it's an exciting time for those selected, I'd like to acknowledge the players who have missed out. Their contribution to the black jersey and to our team this year has been immense, and we wouldn't be where we are today without them. 'The level of depth and internal competition we have seen from our wider squad made the selection process very difficult, however this speaks to the growth and exciting future of women's rugby in Aotearoa.' The Black Ferns start their title defence against Spain on August 25. Black Ferns World Cup Squad Loosehead props *Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 Tests) Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 7 Tests) *Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 13 Tests) Hookers *Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests) *Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 Tests) Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 Tests) Tighthead props Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests) *Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test) Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests) Locks *Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 1 Test) Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 29 Tests) Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 22 Tests) Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 33 Tests) Loose forwards Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Tests) *Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, Canterbury, 2 Tests) *Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Matatū, Manawatū, 12 Tests) *Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 14 Tests) Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 30 Tests) Halfbacks *Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 Tests) *Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 Tests) *Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens, Tasman, 2 Tests) First five-eighths Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 43 Tests) Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 45 Tests) Midfielders Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 25 Tests) Amy du Plessis (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 Tests) Theresa Setefano (30, Blues, Auckland, 19 Tests) Stacey Waaka (29, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Tests) Outside backs Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23 Tests) Ayesha Leti-I'iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 Tests) *Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 Tests) *Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 17 Tests) Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (34, Blues, Northland, 27 Tests) Non-travelling reserve Krystal Murray (32, Chiefs Manawa, Northland, 14 Tests) *denotes first Rugby World Cup
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@
