Sevens star Ruby Tui named in Black Ferns squad missing three senior players
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.
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
Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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