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Ruby Tui one of seven players named to make Black Ferns debut against Wallaroos
Black Ferns Sevens star Ruby Tui has been named as one of seven players to make their test debuts for the Black Ferns against the Wallaroos on Monday.
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Named to start on the right wing, Tui is the highest-profile debutant in the Black Ferns side as New Zealand open their blockbuster 2022 campaign against Australia in the first match of the Pacific Four Series in Tauranga.
A decorated sevens star who has Olympic gold and silver medals, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, a Sevens World Cup title and multiple World Sevens Series championships to her name, Tui brings with her a wealth of experience to the Black Ferns.
The 30-year-old was also crowned World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in 2019, and joins the Black Ferns after helping the Chiefs Manawa side claim the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki title earlier this year.
Those accolades provides the Black Ferns with plenty of star power in a backline that is also headlined by veteran halfback Kendra Cocksedge, new captain Ruahei Demant and star midfielder Chelsea Semple.
The fixture holds particular significance for Cocksedge, who will become the most-capped Black Ferns player of all-time when she runs out for 58th test match at Tauranga Domain.
Tui is joined by fellow debutant Kelsey Teneti at centre, while two further newbies – lock Chelsea Bremner and No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker – have been named in the forward pack.
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Three other uncapped players – props Angel Mulu and Tanya Kalounivale, and loose forward Tafito Lafaele – have also been included on the bench.
The match will also act as the first test for new Black Ferns director of rugby Wayne Smith and his assistants Whitney Hansen and Wesley Clarke.
Together, the trio have formed a new coaching set-up following the controversial departure of former Black Ferns boss Glenn Moore in April.
Smith, the experienced and vastly-successful former All Blacks coach, said the introduction of fresh faces will help the Black Ferns build towards the World Cup on home soil later this year.
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“We are looking at these series before the World Cup as an opportunity for players to put their best foot forward. We’re really impressed with some of our younger players, they’re in good condition and deserve a crack,” Smith said via a statement.
“I’ve always seen selection as an easy process, the players select themselves – we just have to write the names down.
“It’s exciting having these tests in our own country and that brings with it some pressure. I want this series to be exhilarating for the country and the players, we’ve got a game that can do that – we just have to put it out on the field.”
The Wallaroos, meanwhile, have named an experienced team to face the Black Ferns, one that will be captained by sevens star Shannon Parry and features two debutants on the bench in the form of Annabelle Codey and Cecilia Smith.
Black Ferns: 1. Krystal Murray, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Amy Rule, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Chelsea Bremner, 6. Alana Bremner, 7. Kendra Reynolds, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 8. Kendra Cocksedge, 10. Ruahei Demant (c), 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Chelsea Semple, 13. Kelsey Teneti, 14. Ruby Tui, 15. Renee Holmes
Reserves: 16. Luka Connor, 17. Angel Mulu, 18. Tanya Kalounivale, 19. Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20. Tafito Lafaele, 21. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 22. Hazel Tubic, 23. Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Wallaroos: 1. Liz Patu, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Bridie O’Gorman, 4. Michaele Leonard, 5. Kaitlan Leaney, 6. Emily Chancellor, 7. Shannon Parry (c), 8. Grace Hamilton, 9. Iliseva Batibasaga, 10. Trileen Pomare, 11. Ivania Wong, 12. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Mahalia Murphy, 15. Lori Cramer
Reserves: 16. Ashley Marsters, 17. Madison Schuck, 18. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, 19. Annabelle Codey, 20. Piper Duck, 21. Layne Morgan, 22. Cecilia Smith, 23. Arabella McKenzie
Comments on RugbyPass
It’ll be very interesting to see how Razor’s AB’s handle the new England rush D. It’s basically the Bok recipe they copied, so if England goes well then we know most likely the Boks will go well too. If England cops a hiding then we’ll have to study and adapt.
6 Go to commentsTypical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
2 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
6 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
2 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
7 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
7 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
7 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
7 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
6 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
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