Black Ferns 2025
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@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2025:
@RoninWC said in Black Ferns 2025:
That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.
A couple of non-selections too, which are justified (e.g., Pip Love).
Agreed, also ommitted from the camp is a personal favourite but someone that hasn't performed to her best since the last world cup final, Joanah Ngan-Woo.
She was coming back from injury but sadly could not earn a start in a side that was the worst performing team in Aupiki.
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Māori All Black and Irish & British Lion Riki Flutey completes Black Ferns coaching group
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have announced the addition of Māori All Blacks and British and Irish Lions international Riki Flutey to the Black Ferns coaching group.
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The big omissions are Ruby Tui, Renee Holmes, Luka Connor and Chelsea Bremner. The majority of the BF7s players are selected.
Black Ferns squad confirmed for Pacfic Four Series
Black Ferns selectors Allan Bunting, Tony Christie, Steve Jackson, Dan Cron and Riki Flutey have named a 33-strong squad for the upcoming Pacific Four Series in May.
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@Yeetyaah said in Black Ferns 2025:
Dare I say the Holmes and Tui omissions are deserved. Both far from their best form for Manawa this year.
I have to say I wasn't super impressed by Holmes, even during the RWC. Lacked pace, not strong in the tackle, kicking was patchy
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Black Ferns XV to play two matches against the Springbok Women in South Africa
The Black Ferns XV will play two matches against the Springbok Women this year in South Africa in another boost to New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) women’s high-performance programme.
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The selections will be more interesting once the BF7s women are available.
Black Ferns kickstart 2025 campaign against Australia
The Black Ferns coaching group have named their match-day 23 to play Australia in the Pacific Four Series (PAC4) at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, May 10, 5.00pm NZT (3.00pm AEST).
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Black Ferns v Canada
1 Chryss Viliko
2 Georgia Ponsonby
3 Amy Rule
4 Alana Bremner
5 Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6 Layla Sae
7 Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain)
8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9 Maia Joseph
10 Ruahei Demant (Co-captain)
11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13 Amy du Plessis
14 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee16 Atlanta Lolohea
17 Kate Henwood
18 Tanya Kalounivale
19 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21 Iritana Hohaia
22 Hannah King
23 Mererangi PaulPortia is the only BF7s player included. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u back from injury. Canada beat NZ at this ground last year, and this will be the toughest match of these three.
Black Ferns named for redemption match against Canada
The Black Ferns seek redemption this Saturday in front of a home crowd in their second Pacific Four Series (PAC4) Test match against Canada at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, 3.35pm kick-off.
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Du Plessis isn't good enough to start IMO. Bench option at best. She did have a good Aupiki season but was shown up in the Aupiki final by Demant and Woodman. Du Plessis also fluffed a 4-1 overlap last week. I guess Bunting is being cautious against Canada but it would've been a far more potent backline to reunite the Matatu halves (Joseph/King) and unite the Blues midfield (Demant/Woodman). That then gives room for a Leti-Iiga/Sorensen-McGee/Vahaakolo back-3 with Waaka/Setefano on the bench.
Also thought the loosies are wrong. Not sure why Sa'e keeps starting. She was the least impressive of all the loosies in Aupiki. I'd have put Mikaele-Tu'u at six, Olsen-Baker at eight, and start Tukuafu at seven but with Miller on the bench. Mikaele-Tu'u is the lineout option among those three.
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@Auckman said in Black Ferns 2025:
Du Plessis isn't good enough to start IMO. Bench option at best. She did have a good Aupiki season but was shown up in the Aupiki final by Demant and Woodman. Du Plessis also fluffed a 4-1 overlap last week. I guess Bunting is being cautious against Canada but it would've been a far more potent backline to reunite the Matatu halves (Joseph/King) and unite the Blues midfield (Demant/Woodman). That then gives room for a Leti-Iiga/Sorensen-McGee/Vahaakolo back-3 with Waaka/Setefano on the bench.
Also thought the loosies are wrong. Not sure why Sa'e keeps starting. She was the least impressive of all the loosies in Aupiki. I'd have put Mikaele-Tu'u at six, Olsen-Baker at eight, and start Tukuafu at seven but with Miller on the bench. Mikaele-Tu'u is the lineout option among those three.
I'm a fan of du Plessis, but she lacks a bit of pace.
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I thought du Plessis was very good against Australia.
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@kev du Plessis offers little at centre. No pace and seldom makes a line break. We need some x-factor at centre, so either Stacey or Portia. Joseph is also a handbrake at halfback at times. I'll be interested to see what Pouri-Lane can do. If the BFs want to play up-tempo you can't select a halfback who is so deliberate before passing. Woodman-Wickliffe needed her hands on the ball.
And defending the lineout drive. England will brutally expose them there.
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@Bovidae Agree. Joseph had average 1st game so surprised to see her start.
They didn’t exit well - England will kill them close to line. At restart the receiver often had time to kick and clear but the default was to pass to runner to take it into contact.
