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Sevens star Ruby Tui named in Black Ferns squad missing three senior players

03 May 2022

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Black Ferns Sevens star Ruby Tui is in line for a test debut after being named in the first Black Ferns squad of the year on Wednesday.

Tui has been included in a 31-strong squad named by the new coaching staff comprised of Wayne Smith, Whitney Hansen and Wesley Clarke for next month’s Pacific Four Series against Australia, the USA and Canada.

With Olympic gold and silver medals, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, a Sevens World Cup and multiple World Sevens Series titles to her name, Tui brings with her a wealth of experience from the sevens arena to the XVs game.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 12

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 12

A member of the Super Rugby Aupiki-winning Chiefs Manawa squad, the 2019 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year is one of seven players in line to make their test debuts for the Black Ferns.

Joining Tui among that cohort includes hooker Natalie Delamore, props Lucy Anderson, Tanya Kalounivale and Angel Mulu, and loose forwards Tafito Lafaele and Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

The squad will be captained experienced first-five Ruahei Demant, but is without three key figures who have been culled by Smith, Hansen and Clarke.

Those players are flanker Les Elder, who captained the side in last year’s ill-fated tour of England and France, lock Eloise Blackwell and wing Renee Wickliffe.

Smith, the former All Blacks coach who has joined the Black Ferns as director of rugby, said in a statement that the trio have missed selection in preserve them for the New Zealand-hosted World Cup later this year.

“These are players that have had a significant impact on the Black Ferns team for a long time. We want them to be in the best possible condition to be selected for Rugby World Cup,” Smith said.

Smith added that Demant stands as an ideal candidate to lead the squad in next month’s series, which will see the Black Ferns play in Tauranga, Auckland and Whangarei.

“Lu [Demant] has the trust from this group. She is a clear, specific communicator and we see this as a great opportunity to grow her leadership,” he said.

The Black Ferns will kick their Pacific Four Series off against the Wallaroos at Tauranga Domain on June 6, before hosting Canada in Auckland on June 12 and the United States in Whangarei on June 18.

Black Ferns squad for Pacific Four Series

Hookers:

Luka Connor
Natalie Delamere*
Georgia Ponsonby

Props:

Lucy Anderson*
Tanya Kalounivale*
Pip Love
Angel Mulu*
Krystal Murray
Leilani Perese
Amy Rule

Locks:

Chelsea Bremner
Joanah Ngan Woo
Maiakawanakaulani Roos

Loose Forwards:

Alana Bremner
Tafito Lafaele*
Liana Mikaele Tu’u
Kaipo Olsen-Baker*
Kendra Reynolds

Halfbacks:

Ariana Bayler
Kendra Cocksedge
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu

Inside Backs:

Ruahei Demant (c)
Amy du Plessis
Carla Hohepa
Patricia Maliepo
Chelsea Semple

Outside Backs:

Renee Holmes
Ayesha Leti-I’iga
Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Grace Steinmetz
Ruby Tui*

* denotes new cap

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Comments

1 Comment

stephen 1108 days ago

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 3 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍