Latest news with #JorjaMiller
1News
3 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Black Ferns crank into high gear for second half thumping of Wallaroos
The Black Ferns led 10-7 at halftime and then hit top gear on Saturday in Wellington, overwhelming the Wallaroos 37-12. Former sevens star Jorja Miller's sensational solo effort was a highlight as they improved their record against Australia to a remarkable 29-0 since their first meeting in 1994. It was the Black Ferns' final game on home soil before August's World Cup, whereas the Wallaroos will play Wales in Brisbane and Sydney before departing. "We were not clinical enough [in the first half] ... credit to Australia they really tested us," New Zealand captain Alana Bremner said. "I do [think we're ready for the World Cup]. The internal competition is amazing, it grows and grows and we're pushing." ADVERTISEMENT Jorja Miller attempts to go around the Australia Wallaroos defence. (Source: Getty) The Wallaroos threw their best shot at the Black Ferns before succumbing in a loss compounded by an injury to captain Siokapesi Palu. New Zealand winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored three tries on her 34th birthday, her first after just 50 seconds in an ominous start. But the visitors fired right back, Charlotte Caslick scoring with her first touch as the Wallaroos went blow-for-blow in the first 30 minutes. "It's just building pressure and ... that self-belief is what we needed," said Palu, who was wearing a moon boot on her right foot post-game. "Definitely a lot of positives in that first half to show that we can stay in it. "It's just now trying to hold that out for 80 minutes." ADVERTISEMENT Hard-running flanker Palu limped off after her foot was trapped under a pile of bodies holding up a Black Ferns try, while Caslick was also limping at fulltime after falling awkwardly in a tackle. Seventeen-year-old debutant Waiaria Ellis and fellow winger Desiree Miller were both enterprising, while No.10 Tia Hinds kicked well in tricky Wellington conditions. Lydia Kavoa scored the Wallaroos' consolation try in the final moments, some rare joy after they had kept New Zealand's time in their attacking 22 metre zone to just five seconds in the first 30 minutes.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Ferns veteran Ruby Tui has 'goosebumps' over next generation
Ruby Tui runs out in her return test in Wellington. Photo: Photosport With fears her test career may have been over after missing the first squad of the season, Black Fern Ruby Tui took a moment to reflect at fulltime of her return test. After dispatching the Wallaroos 37-12 in front of a packed and parochial Wellington crowd, Tui thought back to the first time she played at the stadium in black. "It was like three people and a dog watching us." Tonight's test kicked off an international doubleheader with the Ferns followed by the All Blacks and France, and the fans answered the call. "For New Zealand, not to just say they back us, but to turn up and show they back us... I couldn't even hear the calls out there, they were so loud. "I think tonight was a statement of how far we've come in our rugby as a whole nation in our last game on our whenua, that's pretty special." Liana Mikaele-Tu'u of New Zealand during the O'Reilly Cup - New Zealand Black Ferns v Australia at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 12 July 2025. Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa / Photo: Photosport Though up by just three at halftime, the Ferns found their flair, as the crowd steadily built and bore witness to a second-half clinic at the 'Caketin'. This included a spectacular solo try from sevens convert Jorja Miller in just her second test match. Tui said the likes of Miller represent the future. "She's always said she wanted to make a difference in this game and we're coming into that generation of women who have grown up playing rugby all through the high school," she said. "They didn't play with boys - there's full on girls competitions now. "She's one of the first that have come through that lifecycle. We missed that. "I think, for those girls that have played their whole school lives, this is just the beginning. Imagine the next gen of Black Ferns. "Oh man, goosebumps!" Coach Alan Bunting was pleased to see the side click into gear after the break. "We got to see some of the Black Ferns DNA, which is cool to watch." However, goalkicking was an ongoing concern, with the Ferns converting just one from seven off the tee. "We are working really hard on that," Bunting said. "We have got girls doing quite a few kicks at training and I have faith." Players now face a nervous two-week wait, before the World Cup squad is announced and the defence begins. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Miller powers Black Ferns to victory over Australia
Jorja Miller celebrates after scoring a try against Australia. A second-half clinic in the capital has helped the Black Ferns see off the Wallaroos in style, as they get set to take on the world. In their final farewell on home soil before their World Cup journey, New Zealand survived an early score to run riot late, putting Australia to the sword 37-12. Australia have never beaten the Black Ferns in 28 previous attempts and, despite a brave effort, they were outclassed by the reigning world champions. Sevens convert Jorja Miller put in a superb shift at openside flanker, scoring a stunning individual try, forcing several turnovers and putting in some thunderous hits on defence. The Ferns were up by just three at the break, but five tries in the second 40 minutes had things looking far more comfortable. They struck after just 60 seconds, when Miller put winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in space on the right edge. Australia responded straight away, their lineout maul repelled, before Charlotte Caslick swept to the blindside and crashed though the defence. More than half an hour later, the Ferns finally regained the lead, with Woodman-Wickliffe waltzing over in the corner to take a 10-7 lead at oranges. Whatever was said in the sheds, things clicked into gear for the Ferns in the second half. Captain Ruahei Demant displayed her power, as she burst through three defenders to find the line. Miller then produced a scorcher, claiming a goal-line dropout, breaking the line, stepping the cover and fending the final tackler in a piece of individual brilliance. They continued to pile on the points, as Woodman-Wickliffe bagged her ha-trick, when she was put one on one with her opposite. After setting things up with a 50-22 kick, centre Sylvia Brunt barged her way over to well and truly seal the result. Replacement Ruby Tui put the icing on the cake, as she tore after an Iritana Hohaia boxkick, easily winning the race to the ball.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Magic Miller powers Black Ferns to victory over Australia
Jorja Miller celebrates after scoring a try against Australia. A second-half clinic in the capital has helped the Black Ferns see off the Wallaroos in style, as they get set to take on the world. In their final farewell on home soil before their World Cup journey, New Zealand survived an early score to run riot late, putting Australia to the sword 37-12. Australia have never beaten the Black Ferns in 28 previous attempts and, despite a brave effort, they were outclassed by the reigning world champions. Sevens convert Jorja Miller put in a superb shift at openside flanker, scoring a stunning individual try, forcing several turnovers and putting in some thunderous hits on defence. The Ferns were up by just three at the break, but five tries in the second 40 minutes had things looking far more comfortable. They struck after just 60 seconds, when Miller put winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in space on the right edge. Australia responded straight away, their lineout maul repelled, before Charlotte Caslick swept to the blindside and crashed though the defence. More than half an hour later, the Ferns finally regained the lead, with Woodman-Wickliffe waltzing over in the corner to take a 10-7 lead at oranges. Whatever was said in the sheds, things clicked into gear for the Ferns in the second half. Captain Ruahei Demant displayed her power, as she burst through three defenders to find the line. Miller then produced a scorcher, claiming a goal-line dropout, breaking the line, stepping the cover and fending the final tackler in a piece of individual brilliance. They continued to pile on the points, as Woodman-Wickliffe bagged her ha-trick, when she was put one on one with her opposite. After setting things up with a 50-22 kick, centre Sylvia Brunt barged her way over to well and truly seal the result. Replacement Ruby Tui put the icing on the cake, as she tore after an Iritana Hohaia boxkick, easily winning the race to the ball.
CNA
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
SYDNEY :Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12.
