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Ruby Tui returns to Black Ferns in squad for WXV 1
The first edition of the WXV kicks off in Wellington on October 21, concluding two rounds later with the Black Ferns facing their Rugby World Cup final opponents for the first time since that famous win at Eden Park last November.
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Also included in the top tier of the new international tournament are the other two of the top three finishers from both the Six Nations and Pacific Four Series; France, Wales, Australia and Canada.
New Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting enjoyed a winning start to his reign with a dominant Pacific Four Series win and has named a largely similar 30-woman squad for the WXV, with the addition of some outstanding young talent who impressed in the recent Farah Palmer Cup season and the return of global superstar Ruby Tui.
Auckland’s FPC winning effort on Saturday has seen eight of their squad included in the Black Ferns outfit, contributing half of the team’s four new names: Chryss Viliko and Sophie Fisher.
The other two newcomers are Canterbury’s Martha Mataele and Manawatu’s Layla Sae.
“It has been a very tough selection for our coaching group, which demonstrates the growth in our women’s game and a reflection our depth is certainly building. Our new players have really stood out in several important behaviours we value. All of which we have been looking for in this year’s Farah Palmer Cup,” said Black Ferns Director of Rugby Bunting.
“It is an exciting opportunity for them to come on this journey and look to continue their growth both on and off the field. The future of our internal competition is exciting to see.”
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Black ferns squad for the WXV 1
Loosehead Props:
Kate Henwood
Krystal Murray
Chryss Viliko*
Hookers:
Georgia Ponsonby
Luka Connor
Natalie Delamere
Tighthead Props:
Amy Rule
Sophie Fisher*
Tanya Kalounivale
Locks:
Charmaigne Smith
Chelsea Bremner
Maiakawanakaulani Roos
Loose Forwards:
Alana Bremner
Kennedy Simon
Layla Sae*
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
Lucy Jenkins
Halfbacks:
Ariana Bayler
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
Iritana Hohaia
First-Five Eighths:
Rosie Kelly
Ruahei Demant
Midfield:
Amy Du Plessis
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt
Patricia Maliepo
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Outside Backs:
Katelyn Vahaakolo
Martha Mataele*
Mererangi Paul
Renee Holmes
Ruby Tui
* Denotes potential debut
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Ayesha Leti-I’iga (knee), Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Charmaine McMenamin (knee), Santo Taumata (knee).
Also announced was the first Black Ferns XV squad, a team packed with aspiring international talent who will face Manusina XV on September 23rd.
Black Ferns XV Squad
Props:
Ellis Doyle
Esther Faiaoga-Tilo
Moomooga Palu
Marcelle Parkes
Maddi Robinson
Hookers:
Leaso Grace Gago Tiatia
Atlanta Lolohea
Vici-Rose Green
Locks:
Laura Bayfield
Emma Dermody
Sam Taylor
Maama Vaipulu
Loose Forwards:
Mia Anderson
Leah Miles
Elizabeth Moimoi
Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
Halfbacks:
Kahlia Awa
Di Hini
First Five-Eighth:
Maia Joseph
Midfield:
Grace Brooker
Cheyenne Cunnigham
Justine McGregor
Rangimarie Sturmey
Outside Backs:
Lela Ieremia
Harmony Kautai
Angelica Mekemeke Vahai
Tara Turner
Comments on RugbyPass
Who listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
40 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
40 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
39 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
40 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to comments