‘There’s a lot to it’: Risi Pouri-Lane explains 15s move for World Cup

Risi Pouri-Lane isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. After becoming a two-time Olympic gold medallist last July, and more recently helping New Zealand win another HSBC SVNS Series league title in Singapore earlier this month, Pouri-Lane is chasing more history.

Pouri-Lane is one of New Zealand’s seven sevens stars who are switching to 15s in a bid to play for the Black Ferns at this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Jorja Miller, Theresa Setefano, Alena Saili, Dhys Faleafaga, Kelsey Teneti and Stacey Waaka are the others.

It’s understood Miller and Waaka will be available to play at the winner-takes-all SVNS Series World Championship in Los Angeles on May 3-4, but coach Cory Sweeney won’t be able to select the other five, which is a massive loss.

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In the one-sided win over rivals Australia in the Singapore decider a couple of weeks ago, Pouri-Lane stood out and was rewarded with Player of the Final honours. As the team’s chief playmaker and goal-kicker, the vice-captain’s importance rarely goes unnoticed.

But finding that same success in 15s is another challenge altogether, with Pouri-Lane hoping to play halfback for the Black Ferns during World Rugby’s Pacific Four Series and the Rugby World Cup, with the showpiece event starting on August 22 and ending on September 27.

“There’s a lot to it. I think for me, personally, the opportunity and challenge to test myself in a new environment, to hopefully challenge the girls that are there but also them to help me grow as well as a person and player,” Pouri-Lane told RugbyPass in Singapore.

“Ultimately, I see the black jersey as one team. If I can go over there in that environment and help in any way or them help, it’s a win. I’ll do what I can to put my hand up and put myself in the best position I can.”

When Pouri-Lane was presented with the Player of the Final accolade by former All Black Dan Carter in Singapore, teammate Miller stood nearby. With a massive smile, Miller watched on before swarming Pouri-Lane after the formalities of the presentation had concluded.

Miller is, much like Pouri-Lane, one of the biggest names on the sevens circuit. In 2023, Miller signed the longest-ever contract by a female rugby player in New Zealand, with that deal expiring at the end of 2027.

World Rugby recognised Miller as one of three nominees for Sevens Player of the Year, although that award ultimately went to Australia’s try-scoring machine Maddison Leiv. New Zealand’s Michaela Brake was the other nominee.

In an interview with RugbyPass at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Miller revealed that she will play openside flanker but somewhat jokingly said, “I don’t know if I like mauls and scrums and stuff but nah, it’ll be good.”

“Obviously, 15s is a big thing in New Zealand. I started playing 15s and I guess I’ve always wanted to tick off a World Cup or a few if the cards fall out that way,” Miller told this writer at Hong Kong China’s Kai Tak Stadium.

“I really want to win a World Cup. We’ve got a pretty special Black Ferns group working away at home playing Super Rugby at the moment – I’d love to try and do my part to win.”