Braxton Sorensen-McGee headlines Black Ferns Sevens Ignite7 squad

Women’s Rugby World Cup stars Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt have been named in the Black Ferns Sevens’ 15-player squad for international fixtures at Ignite7 in Tauranga this weekend.

After an impressive season with the Blues in Super Rugby Aupiki, Sorensen-McGee scored a first-half double in the inaugural Champions Final against the NSW Waratahs, and backed that up with two tries on debut for the Black Ferns against the Wallaroos in Newcastle.

Sorensen-McGee was crowned World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year after an incredible rookie campaign with the Black Ferns, which saw the now 19-year-old score 11 tries in six appearances at the World Cup in England.

Brunt was recognised with Player of the Match honours after New Zealand’s comprehensive 40-0 win over Ireland at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium during the World Cup, which saw the New Zealanders secure the top seed out of their pool.

Those two 15s players will look to make their mark for the Black Ferns Sevens on November 1-2, during the Ignite7 tournament at Tauranga’s Black Park on November 1-2. New Zealand will take on rivals Australia, Fiji and Japan ahead of the new HSBC SVNS Series season.

Kelsey Teneti, Jaymie Kolose, Stacey Waaka, Mahina Paul, Dhys Faleafaga, Keira Su’a-Smith, Justine McGregor, Olive Watherston, Dani Mafoe, Maia Davis, Alena Saili, Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Katelyn Vahaakolo have also been selected.

The All Blacks Sevens have gone with an 18-man squad, including Southland and Highlanders flyer Michael Manson. SVNS Series regulars Akuila Rololisoa, Tone Ng Shiu, Brady Rush and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black are among those named.

Fletcher Morgan, Kitiona Vai, Kele Lasaga, Regan Ware, Fletcher Carpenter, Sione Molia, Sofai Notoa-Tipo, Scott Gregory, Jayden Keelan, Grady Forbes, Bradley Tocker and Frank Vaenuku bring a mix of experience and youth to a squad who continues to charge towards the SVNS Series.

New Zealand’s men’s side will also face Australia and Fiji. While these matches in Tauranga are not capped internationals, it’s ideal preparation for all international teams ahead of the SVNS Series season opener in Dubai on November 29-30.

The Ignite7 tournament itself will see 48 women and 48 men athletes compete in a pathway tournament, allowing the next generational of New Zealand Sevens representatives to showcase their talents on an international rugby stage.

Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens legend Kelly Brazier will coach one of the women’s teams, while All Blacks Sevens icon DJ Forbes will take charge of a men’s team. The team lists have been confirmed for the women’s and men’s Inferno, Bolt, Surge and Power.

Reigning HSBC SVNS Series Women’s Player of the Year Jorja Miller and All Blacks halfback Noah Hotham are among those who have come through the Ignite7 pathway, before stepping into the professional ranks in sevens and/or 15s.

Black Ferns Sevens: Kelsey Teneti, Jaymie Kolose, Stacey Waaka, Mahina Paul, Dhys Faleafaga, Keira Su’a-Smith, Justine McGregor, Olive Watherston, Danii Mafoe, Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Maia Davis, Alena Saili, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Braxton Sorensen-McGee.

All Blacks Sevens: Fletcher Morgan, Brady Rush, Tone Ng Shiu, Akuila Rokolisoa, Dylan Collier, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Kitiona Vai, Kele Lasaga, Regan Ware, Fletcher Carpenter, Michael Manson, Sione Molia, Sofai Notoa-Tipo, Scott Gregory, Jayden Keelan, Grady Forbes, Bradley Tocker, Frank Vaenuku.

2025 Ignite7 competition game schedule

Saturday, 1 November — Day One Game Schedule

Location: Blake Park, Mt Maunganui

10:00 AM – All Blacks Sevens vs Fiji Men
10:22 AM – Fijiana vs Japan Women
10:44 AM – Black Ferns Sevens vs Australia Women
11:06 AM – Power Men vs Inferno Men
11:28 AM – Bolt Women vs Surge Women
11:50 AM – Inferno Men vs Power Men
12:12 PM – Surge Men vs Bolt Men

12:34 PM – Break

1:04 PM – Australia Men vs Fiji Men
1:26 PM – Fijiana vs Australia Women
1:48 PM – Black Ferns Sevens vs Japan Women
2:10 PM – Inferno Women vs Power Women
2:32 PM – Power Men vs Surge Men
2:54 PM – Surge Men vs Inferno Men
3:16 PM – Bolt Men vs Power Men
3:38 PM – All Blacks Sevens vs Australia Men
4:00 PM – Power Women vs Surge Women
4:22 PM – Inferno Women vs Bolt Women
4:44 PM – Surge Men vs Power Men
5:06 PM – Bolt Men vs Inferno Men
5:36 PM – Australia Women vs Japan Women
5:58 PM – Black Ferns Sevens vs Fijiana
6:20 PM – Fiji Men vs Australia Men

Sunday, 2 November — Finals Day Game Schedule

Location: Blake Park, Mt Maunganui

9:30 AM – Black Ferns Sevens vs Japan Women
9:52 AM – Australia Women vs Fijiana
10:14 AM – All Blacks Sevens vs Australia Men
10:36 AM – Ignite7 Women’s Semi-Final 1
10:58 AM – Ignite7 Women’s Semi-Final 2
11:20 AM – Ignite7 Men’s Semi-Final 1
11:42 AM – Ignite7 Men’s Semi-Final 2

12:04 PM – Break

12:14 PM – Japan Women vs Australia Women
12:36 PM – Black Ferns Sevens vs Fijiana
12:58 PM – All Blacks Sevens vs Fiji Men

1:20 PM – Break

1:30 PM – Ignite7 Women’s Bronze Final
1:52 PM – Ignite7 Women’s Final
2:14 PM – Ignite7 Men’s Bronze Final
2:36 PM – Ignite7 Men’s Final
3:10 PM – Ignite7 Trophy Presentations

3:20 PM – Australia Men vs Fiji Men
3:42 PM – Fijiana vs Japan Women
4:04 PM – Black Ferns Sevens vs Australia Women