Latest news with #MiaAnderson
NZ Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Ferns v Black Ferns XV: Live updates from the trial in Whangārei
All the action from the Black Ferns trial match against the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei. Match preview The Black Ferns' build-up into the World Cup in England has reached its peak. Over the next two weeks, the side will compete against the Black Ferns XV and Australia, with players looking to cement themselves in the squad tasked with defending their title as world champions in England. Saturday afternoon will see the Black Ferns and Black Ferns XV go head-to-head in a trial match, which will allow for rolling subs and a selection of 58 players given the opportunity to catch the eye of selectors. Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said: 'It's massive because it's for future Black Ferns, too, that will be in that squad. There are a few of our ladies playing over there; we really want to ramp up the competition for next week. It's an important game for the Black Ferns in general, for the future, and for us going forward.' With that in mind, the Black Ferns have named a fresh starting XV, including Atlanta Lolohea starting at hooker, Mia Anderson making her debut at blindside flanker and Kelly Brazier starting at first five-eighths. They have a total of 30 players named for the trial match. A handful of test-capped Black Ferns will run out for the Black Ferns XV, who have a squad of 28, including Ruby Tui on the right wing, Luka Connor at hooker and Krystal Murray at loosehead prop. Laura Bayfield, Iritana Hohaia and Hannah King will start at lock, halfback and first five-eighths respectively for the Black Ferns XV, but will return to the Black Ferns main squad ahead of next weekend's test against Australia. 'We want to sharpen up our skills. We want to see opportunities and really execute. We're starting to look at some things that we're really strong at and our strengths and weapons in the team. We've got some attacking weapons and we want to see them fire shots,' Bunting said. 'We've worked really hard at our breakdown, that's probably the most important thing. [Forwards coach Dan Cron] is doing an amazing job there. Then the other side of the breakdown too, we want to slow the ball down a bit. 'Our set piece worked really well last year, but we need to do a bit of work there, and the main goal for us is we need to get those attacking players some ball in space.' The match kicks off at 1.05pm in Whangārei. Black Ferns: 1. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu 2. Atlanta Lolohea 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu 4. Alana Bremner (co-captain) 5. Maama 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 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.
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 /
