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Injury forces change to Black Ferns Sevens squad for SVNS opener
By Finn Morton
New Zealand Sevens have confirmed an injury-forced update to the women’s team ahead of the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS Series opener in Dubai, which starts next weekend on November 29-30.
Coach Cory Sweeney selected a talented women’s touring squad for the first two stops of the season in Dubai and Cape Town, headlined by the inclusion of Rugby World Cup superstar Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Risi Pouri-Lane has replaced Sarah Hirini as the Black Ferns Sevens co-captain, with the long-time skipper taking to Instagram earlier this month to announce that she is expecting a baby in 2026.
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Jaymie Kolose suffered a hand injury during training in Dubai, which has ruled the 24-year-old out of the upcoming tournament. Olive Watherston has replaced Kolose in the 13-woman playing squad.
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The Black Ferns Sevens squad is otherwise unchanged, with Pouri-Lane leading the group, while Jorja Miller prepares to make her vice-captaincy debut. New Zealand will take on the USA, France and Fiji during pool play at The Sevens Stadium.
Sorensen-McGee is an exciting inclusion in the national sevens side, after the teenager starred for the Black Ferns at the recent World Cup. The outside back scored 11 tries in six appearances, finishing with 69 points at the showpiece event.
After wearing the black jersey in SVNS Series warm-up matches at Ignite7 in Tauranga, Sorensen-McGee was selected to debut along with Blues player Danii Mafoe. There’s a mix of youth and experience in a squad that has genuine title ambitions.
Stacey Waaka, Mahina Paul, Theresa Setefano, Maia Davis, Alena Saili, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Kelsey Teneti and Katelyn Vahakolo have also been selected in the playing squad. Manaia Nuku and Le-Oxeayn Maiu’u are unavailable due to injury.
The All Blacks Sevens have selected a new-look side as well, with players departing for opportunities in Super Rugby Pacific, and others missing out on the two stops of the season because of injury.
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Andrew Knewstubb and Xavier Tito-Harris have joined the Highlanders, Tepaea Cook-Savage has signed with the Chiefs, and Cody Vai has put pen to paper with the Blues. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black is among those injured, sidelined from sevens duty.
Bay of Plenty flyer Kele Lasaqa, Canterbury playmaker Riley Williams, and Southland winger Fletcher Morgan are three potential debutants in the All Blacks Sevens squad selected by coach Tomasi Cama.
Tone Ng Shiu will captain the team, with Dylan Collier and Sione Molia serving as vice-captains. The All Blacks Sevens will face traditional foe Australia, emerging powerhouse Spain, and giant-slayers Great Britain in pool play.
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