Sylvia Brunt on taking positives from Canada draw: 'We’ll be better for it'

Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, a World Rugby Dream Team selection in 2024, has hit the ground running in the 2025 international season.

The 21-year-old centre scored an 83rd-minute try after 21 phases to salvage the Black Ferns a 27-27 draw against Canada at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch in their Pacific Four clash.

“To keep holding onto the ball and trying to build phases is something we’ve been working on. To be able to do that and be rewarded at the end of it is great,” said Brunt.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

“I’ve got to give credit to my forwards and backs, and especially to the girls who didn’t jersey up with us as well. Canada’s a quality side. Once they got going, they were pretty hard to stop; the speed of their ball was being directed a bit quicker.

“We’ve had that test now and we can take some pretty good learnings out of this and we’ll be better for it.”

Brunt’s try will likely reclaim the Pacific Four title for the Black Ferns, a title which Canada current own. This Saturday at North Harbour Stadium in Albany, the Black Ferns joust with winless USA, a side they haven’t lost to since 1991, and beat 57-5 in Hamilton last year.

While defending champions Canada are also unbeaten, they have a points differential of 14 less than the Black Ferns.

Brunt is a major factor in that. She also scored a try in the 38-12 victory over Australia in Newcastle. Against Canada, in addition to her try, she had 11 carries for 67 metres-gained and five defenders beaten. She made 13 tackles and created one of Ayesha Leti-l’iga’s two tries with a saber-like grubber.

“That’s something we as midfielders have been working on,’’ Brunt said. “After I saw her regather, I didn’t even see her score the try. I was just happy she got it, because I knew she was going to score after that.”

Leti-l’iga has 19 tries in 26 Tests. Brunt ten in 23 Tests with her first against the USA in a 50-0 whitewash in 2022.

“I got a start in that USA test in Whangarei. In the first minute, I fractured my foot. I know what that feels like because I’d done it before. I played on, not wanting to show any pain or be a liability. I lasted 20 minutes until I needed strapping,” Brunt recalled.

“Luckily, I didn’t go off and even scored a try. The forwards did a maul and we arranged our backline for a move we’d done at training. I hit a short ball and went through. I was so pumped.”

Brunt was pumped throughout most of a very successful 2024, being named New Zealand Rugby Players Association Player of the Year and played in all eight Black Ferns Test matches.

The Black Ferns hope to achieve similar continuity against the USA on Saturday. Debuts have been handed to Chiefs Manawa front rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green and Olympic sevens gold medalists Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.

Fellow sevens stars Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka combine in midfield. Brunt will come off the bench, having developed the ability to play both inside and outside centre.

With captain Ruahei Demant shifting to 12 to accommodate the selection of Hannah King at fly-half last season, Brunt was forced out to outside centre for much of 2024.

“When Ruahei’s out at second-five, she’s able to not only distribute but have a go as well. It’s not too different from when she’s playing at 10 and I’m playing at 12, I’m able to run off her and she’s able to create for me as well, so it’s pretty cool,” Brunt said.

“I feel like I do have a bit more space because I’m a bit further out near the edges so I can have a little dart, a little go out on the edges and they’re able to put me into space.

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

New Zealand Women

79 - 14

Full-time

USA Women

All Stats and Data

“When I’m more in the middle, for me it’s about trying to put other people into space as well as looking for opportunities to have a run and knowing when to take those moments.”

You can watch the Black Ferns take on the USA in their final Pacific Four match on Saturday 24th May, 04:35 BST, on the RugbyPass App for free (outside of New Zealand, Australia and Canada).