World Cup winner named in Black Ferns Sevens squad to play Australia

Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Renee Holmes has been included in a 13-player Black Ferns Sevens travelling squad to face arch-rivals Australia, with two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Jorja Miller also among those selected.

Holmes starred at fullback as the Black Ferns took out the World Cup title on home soil four years ago, and the outside back took on goal-kicking duties during the team’s run to the semi-finals at the tournament’s latest edition in England.

The 26-year-old is now set to suit up for the Black Ferns Sevens, who will face reigning SVNS World Championship winners Australia in a three-game series this week. Two matches will be played on in Sydney’s Rose Bay on Friday night, before another showdown on Saturday.

Olympic gold medallists Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Manaia Nuku, Mahina Paul, captain Risaleaana Pouri-Lane and Miller have been named. Miller was named the SVNS Player of the Year after the 2026 season, and was recognised as the RugbyPass SVNS MVP.

Keelah Boddle, Kavanah Lene, Sariyah Paitai, Te Pumanawa O Toku Aate Rogers, Kelsey Teneti, Olive Watherston and Katelyn Vahaakolo complete the travelling squad. Two matches will be played at Easts Rugby Club before a historic clash at Accor Stadium.

All four of Rugby Australia’s Teams in Gold will take the field at Sydney’s Accor Stadium during a first-of-its-kind quadruple header on Saturday. The Wallaroos take on Scotland first, before both the women’s and men’s sevens sides take the field.

The Australian men’s sevens side are set to play HSBC SVNS Series giants Fiji, followed by the second Bledisloe Cup Test of the year between the Wallabies and All Blacks. Those two sides will meet again at the same venue during Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, which is less than one year away.

Black Ferns Sevens travelling squad for Australia

Keelah Boddle
Jazmin Felix-Hotham
Renee Holmes
Kavanah Lene
Jorja Miller
Manaia Nuku
Sariyah Paitai
Mahina Paul
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (c)
Te Pumanawa O Toku Ate Rogers
Kelsey Teneti
Katelyn Vahaakolo
Olive Watherston