In a significant statement of intent ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup, Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting has opted for youth over experience with several high-profile omissions from his first squad of 2025.
Key moments:
- Ruby Tui, Renee Holmes and Chelsea Bremner all omitted from 33-player squad
- Three uncapped players named including 18-year-old Blues sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee
- Five Black Ferns Sevens stars included as selectors build towards Rugby World Cup
- Portia Woodman-Wickliffe returns from retirement to bolster outside back options
- Pacific Four Series begins against Australia in Newcastle on May 10
The 33-strong group named for the upcoming Pacific Four Series contains some bold selections, with World Cup 2022 heroes Ruby Tui, Renee Holmes and Chelsea Bremner all missing out as the defending world champions begin their preparations for their title defence in England later this year.
The most eye-catching inclusion is 18-year-old Blues fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who earns her first call-up after an explosive Super Rugby Aupiki campaign that culminated in a try-scoring performance during the Blues’ 26-19 triumph over Matatū in the final. The teenage sensation is one of three uncapped players in the squad, with Chiefs Manawa front-rowers Vici-Rose Green and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu also rewarded for their Aupiki form.
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“Our squad selections are based on consistency in Aupiki, experience and our two days in camp,” Bunting explained. “The Pacific Four Series is a chance for us to reward those players with an opportunity to represent our country. We’re months away from the Rugby World Cup, we are looking forward to seeing our wāhine play Test matches against quality opposition.”
The selection panel, which includes Bunting, Tony Christie, Steve Jackson, Dan Cron and Riki Flutey, made their decisions following a two-day camp featuring 49 players and internal trial matches. The competitive nature of these sessions was evident, with Tui herself describing the environment as “furious” and “fast-paced” when speaking to media earlier this week.
“I believe every day assembled in a camp should be a trial. And if you say that word out loud and put it in front of training or in front of a game like, man, it just ups the level and I think we all felt it today,” Tui had commented, perhaps foreshadowing her own omission.
For Bunting, these difficult decisions are part of a longer-term vision as the Black Ferns look to defend their world crown.
“It’s a tight race leading up to our World Cup campaign and we know we’ve had to make tough calls at this point,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed by the response and attitude from our players to still serve the team. Our whole group is important on this journey, there is still a bit more water to go under the bridge before we name our World Cup squad.”
The squad includes five players from the Black Ferns Sevens programme, demonstrating New Zealand’s commitment to utilising talent from both formats of the game. Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have all been included, with Kelly Brazier travelling as a reserve for the opening fixture.
Due to commitments with the LA Sevens tournament, Miller, Waaka and Pouri-Lane will join the squad in Christchurch ahead of the second match against Canada on May 17.
The return of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe following her recent retirement reversal provides a significant boost to the outside backs, while midfield partnership Setefano and Waaka, instrumental in the dramatic 2022 World Cup final victory over England, are reunited after focusing on sevens duties.
Looking at the squad composition in detail, there’s a blend of established stars and emerging talent. Captain Ruahei Demant leads the side with her 41 caps of experience, while the forward pack appears formidable with proven performers like Maiakawanakaulani Roos (29 caps), Alana Bremner (25 caps) and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (26 caps) providing a solid platform.
The squad includes nine front-rowers, with Georgia Ponsonby the most experienced hooker with 27 Test caps. In the locks, Roos and Bremner are joined by Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu and Faleafaga, who makes the transition from sevens to the 15-a-side format.
The loose forwards feature a healthy blend of power and pace, with Mikaele-Tu’u, Layla Sae, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Kennedy Tukuafu joined by sevens star Miller, who could add a different dimension to the Black Ferns’ back row options.
At halfback, Maia Joseph and Iritana Hohaia will compete with uncapped Pouri-Lane, while Demant and Hannah King are the only recognised first-fives in the squad.
The midfield has significant firepower with Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Setefano, Amy du Plessis and Waaka all capable of breaking the gain line, while the outside backs feature Woodman-Wickliffe, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Mererangi Paul and the uncapped Sorensen-McGee.
The Black Ferns depart for Newcastle on Saturday (May 3) to prepare for their opening Pacific Four Series fixture against Australia at McDonald Jones Stadium on May 10. They then return to New Zealand for matches against Canada in Christchurch (May 17) and the USA in Auckland (May 24).
All matches will serve as crucial preparation for the Rugby World Cup in England, where the Black Ferns begin their title defence against Spain in York on August 25. The tournament culminates in what could be a record-breaking final at Twickenham on September 28, potentially drawing more than 80,000 spectators if hosts England make it through as expected.
For now, Bunting’s focus is firmly on building combinations and testing his squad against quality opposition.
“It’s not just about the squad of 33,” he emphasised. “This is about building a solid group of 40 plus who will be clear on how we want to be, and play come World Cup selection time.”
Black Ferns Squad for Pacific Four Series
Loosehead props
Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 10 Test caps)
Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 8 Test caps)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 4 Test caps)
Hookers
Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 27 Test caps)
Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 5 Test caps)
Vici-Rose Green (23, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped)
Tighthead Props
Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 18 Test caps)
Amy Rule (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 27 Test caps)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped)
Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Test caps)
Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 25 Test caps)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (22, Blues, Auckland, 5 Test caps)
Dhys Faleafaga (24, Black Ferns Sevens, 2 Test caps)
Loose Forwards
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues, Auckland, 26 Test caps)
Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 11 Test caps)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22, Matatū, Manawatū, 9 Test caps)
Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Test caps)
Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
Halfbacks
Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 8 Test caps)
Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 14 Test caps)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (24, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
First fives
Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 41 Test caps)
Hannah King (21, Matatū, Canterbury, 7 Test caps)
Midfield
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 21 Test caps)
Theresa Setefano (30, Black Ferns Sevens, 18 Test caps)
Amy du Plessis (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 19 Test caps)
Stacey Waaka (29, Black Ferns Sevens, 25 Test caps)
Outside backs
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (33, Blues, 24 Test caps)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 14 Test caps)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 24 Test caps)
Mererangi Paul (26, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 12 Test caps)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, uncapped)
Travelling reserve
Kelly Brazier (35, Black Ferns Sevens, 42 Test caps)
