Black Ferns 2025
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They're getting the band back together.
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@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2025:
https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-unveil-first-camp-invitees-player-list
That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.
Will be very interesting to see who they pick in the initial squad as I've got tickets to watch them play Aus in Newcastle on May 11, can't wait!
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@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2025:
https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-unveil-first-camp-invitees-player-list
That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.
Will be very interesting to see who they pick in the initial squad as I've got tickets to watch them play Aus in Newcastle on May 11, can't wait!
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@RoninWC said in Black Ferns 2025:
That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.
A couple of non-selections too, which are justified (e.g., Pip Love).
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2025:
@RoninWC said in Black Ferns 2025:
That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.
A couple of non-selections too, which are justified (e.g., Pip Love).
Agreed, also ommitted from the camp is a personal favourite but someone that hasn't performed to her best since the last world cup final, Joanah Ngan-Woo.
She was coming back from injury but sadly could not earn a start in a side that was the worst performing team in Aupiki.
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The big omissions are Ruby Tui, Renee Holmes, Luka Connor and Chelsea Bremner. The majority of the BF7s players are selected.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-squad-confirmed-for-pacfic-four-series
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The big omissions are Ruby Tui, Renee Holmes, Luka Connor and Chelsea Bremner. The majority of the BF7s players are selected.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-squad-confirmed-for-pacfic-four-series
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Dare I say the Holmes and Tui omissions are deserved. Both far from their best form for Manawa this year.
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Dare I say the Holmes and Tui omissions are deserved. Both far from their best form for Manawa this year.
@Yeetyaah said in Black Ferns 2025:
Dare I say the Holmes and Tui omissions are deserved. Both far from their best form for Manawa this year.
I have to say I wasn't super impressed by Holmes, even during the RWC. Lacked pace, not strong in the tackle, kicking was patchy
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The selections will be more interesting once the BF7s women are available.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-kickstart-2025-campaign-against-australia
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Black Ferns v Canada
1 Chryss Viliko
2 Georgia Ponsonby
3 Amy Rule
4 Alana Bremner
5 Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6 Layla Sae
7 Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain)
8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9 Maia Joseph
10 Ruahei Demant (Co-captain)
11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13 Amy du Plessis
14 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee16 Atlanta Lolohea
17 Kate Henwood
18 Tanya Kalounivale
19 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21 Iritana Hohaia
22 Hannah King
23 Mererangi PaulPortia is the only BF7s player included. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u back from injury. Canada beat NZ at this ground last year, and this will be the toughest match of these three.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-black-ferns-named-for-redemption-match-against-canada
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Black Ferns v Canada
1 Chryss Viliko
2 Georgia Ponsonby
3 Amy Rule
4 Alana Bremner
5 Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6 Layla Sae
7 Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain)
8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9 Maia Joseph
10 Ruahei Demant (Co-captain)
11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13 Amy du Plessis
14 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee16 Atlanta Lolohea
17 Kate Henwood
18 Tanya Kalounivale
19 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21 Iritana Hohaia
22 Hannah King
23 Mererangi PaulPortia is the only BF7s player included. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u back from injury. Canada beat NZ at this ground last year, and this will be the toughest match of these three.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-black-ferns-named-for-redemption-match-against-canada
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Du Plessis isn't good enough to start IMO. Bench option at best. She did have a good Aupiki season but was shown up in the Aupiki final by Demant and Woodman. Du Plessis also fluffed a 4-1 overlap last week. I guess Bunting is being cautious against Canada but it would've been a far more potent backline to reunite the Matatu halves (Joseph/King) and unite the Blues midfield (Demant/Woodman). That then gives room for a Leti-Iiga/Sorensen-McGee/Vahaakolo back-3 with Waaka/Setefano on the bench.
Also thought the loosies are wrong. Not sure why Sa'e keeps starting. She was the least impressive of all the loosies in Aupiki. I'd have put Mikaele-Tu'u at six, Olsen-Baker at eight, and start Tukuafu at seven but with Miller on the bench. Mikaele-Tu'u is the lineout option among those three.
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Du Plessis isn't good enough to start IMO. Bench option at best. She did have a good Aupiki season but was shown up in the Aupiki final by Demant and Woodman. Du Plessis also fluffed a 4-1 overlap last week. I guess Bunting is being cautious against Canada but it would've been a far more potent backline to reunite the Matatu halves (Joseph/King) and unite the Blues midfield (Demant/Woodman). That then gives room for a Leti-Iiga/Sorensen-McGee/Vahaakolo back-3 with Waaka/Setefano on the bench.
Also thought the loosies are wrong. Not sure why Sa'e keeps starting. She was the least impressive of all the loosies in Aupiki. I'd have put Mikaele-Tu'u at six, Olsen-Baker at eight, and start Tukuafu at seven but with Miller on the bench. Mikaele-Tu'u is the lineout option among those three.
@Auckman said in Black Ferns 2025:
Du Plessis isn't good enough to start IMO. Bench option at best. She did have a good Aupiki season but was shown up in the Aupiki final by Demant and Woodman. Du Plessis also fluffed a 4-1 overlap last week. I guess Bunting is being cautious against Canada but it would've been a far more potent backline to reunite the Matatu halves (Joseph/King) and unite the Blues midfield (Demant/Woodman). That then gives room for a Leti-Iiga/Sorensen-McGee/Vahaakolo back-3 with Waaka/Setefano on the bench.
Also thought the loosies are wrong. Not sure why Sa'e keeps starting. She was the least impressive of all the loosies in Aupiki. I'd have put Mikaele-Tu'u at six, Olsen-Baker at eight, and start Tukuafu at seven but with Miller on the bench. Mikaele-Tu'u is the lineout option among those three.
I'm a fan of du Plessis, but she lacks a bit of pace.
