Black Ferns 2023
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@Machpants said in Black Ferns 2023:
Three Letter Abbreviations
Upvote for "Abbreviations" rather than "Acronyms".
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@booboo said in Black Ferns 2023:
Not commenting on this issue specifically, but I've rather gone off Ruby.
Got a few too many tickets on herself.
Yes, she's marketable, but the game would go on without her.
Her ego is writing cheques her body can't cash ...
Edit: and yes, it may be tall poppy syndrome, but she walked away for (nearly) a year. Most of the other "super" stars stuck with it and delivered without grandstanding.
Deliberately grandstanding though. She is hugely passionate about promoting and growing the womenâs game and got an opportunity through her high profile to keep pushing after the RWC.
Not a decision that all would take but an unusual set of circumstances.Coming to the end of her career
Was pursued by broadcaster to take part behind the microphone
Has done broadcasting courses in the past with a view to that being her post playing career.
Offered a chance to cash in before rejoining the BFs (plenty of the men do similar with sabbaticals)
Probably pushed a bit far in asking for the đ but she can ask, if she got pissy about the answer then thatâs not right.I donât see it as ego. More created opportunities.
This rainbow thing is the only reported time that has indicated thoughts of being bigger than the norm. She may be outspoken but stays humble.Playing wise sheâs better off in the US (others are going there too) than being on the lonely wing of an FPC side that struggles to get her ball. At least Sevens will sharpen her up again.
Bunting wants her in the squad and she needs to be there as the incumbent that the new players have to be better than. -
@Crucial - I agree re: Ruby. Sheâs just probably sick of years of lip service from the NZRU and knew that âbusiness as usualâ just wouldnât cut it after the success of the World Cup. Sheâll retire in a few years and wouldâve kicked herself if she didnât use her huge profile and leverage to push the NZRU to grow the womenâs game. I understand part of her contract conditions was the expansion of Super Rugby Aupiki season and proper pay for Aupiki players. Thatâs not a person thatâs all about herself in my book. Anyway sheâll be back for the WXV1 later this year.
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A few surprises.
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Charmaine McMenamin (concussion), Hazel Tubic (knee), Layla Sae (ankle), Patricia Maliepo (foot), Santo Taumata (knee).
Unavailable for selection due to sabbatical: Ruby Tui. -
Steinmetz picked up an injury before the Aupiki finals so that may have hampered her selection. Wing/Fullback selection is pretty ruthless with the BFs.
They all went to cam at the Sports centre in Upper Hutt and would have been put through lots of testing. Bunting likely to have scratched those not up to speed. I'm guessing he has high emphasis on fitness from his Sevens success. -
New Zealandâs brightest emerging womenâs rugby talent will have the chance to don the black jersey later this year with the Black Ferns XV set to play against Samoa.
The Black Ferns XV has been formed by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to foster the professional growth of players, coaches and management on the international stage and provide a high-performance pathway to the Black Ferns.
The Black Ferns XVâs squad will be named in mid-September, ahead of their fixture against Samoa onSaturday September 23 at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe at 4.35pm. The fixture will be broadcast live on Sky Sport as part of a double header including the Bunnings NPC fixture between Counties Manukau and ManawatĆ« at 2.05pm.
MatatĆ«âs Head of Rugby Whitney Hansen will lead the Black Ferns XV, with Blues Assistant Coach, former Black Fern Linda Itunu and former Wallaroos Assistant Coach Peter Breen.
NZR Womenâs High Performance Manager Hannah Porter said the Black Ferns XV was an important part of the high-performance pathway.
âWe know for the continued success of our Black Ferns team we need to ensure we are developing and exposing a wider group of players to high-performance environments. The inclusion of the Black Ferns XV in our high-performance pathway, provides aspiring players and coaches the opportunity for continued growth, experience, and a chance to demonstrate their craft.
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Black Ferns coaches Allan Bunting, Steve Jackson, Mike Delany and Tony Christie have named their 30 player squad to compete at home in front of their Black Ferns fans for the final O'Reilly Cup Test and inagural WXV1 Tournament.
The Black Ferns team is (Age/Super Club/Province/Test caps):
Loosehead Props
Kate Henwood (34, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 2)
Krystal Murray (30, Hurricanes Poua, Northland, 10)
Chryss Viliko (20, Blues, Auckland, new cap)Hookers
Georgia Ponsonby (23, Matatƫ, Canterbury, 16)
Luka Connor (26, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 16)
Natalie Delamere (26, Matatƫ, Bay of Plenty, 3)Tighthead Props
Amy Rule (23, Matatƫ, Canterbury, 16)
Sophie Fisher (24, Blues, Auckland, new cap)
Tanya Kalounivale (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 8 )Locks
Charmaine Smith (31, Chiefs Manawa, Northland, 27)
Chelsea Bremner (28, Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury, 15)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (22, Blues, Auckland, 17)Loose Forwards
Alana Bremner (26, Matatƫ, Canterbury, 15)
Kennedy Simon (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 16) â Co-Captain
Layla Sae (22, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatƫ, new cap)
Liana Mikaele Tu'u (21, Blues, Auckland, 14)
Lucy Jenkins (22, Matatƫ, Canterbury, 2)Halfbacks
Ariana Bayler (26, Blues, Waikato, 7)
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (31, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 15)
Iritana Hohaia (23, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 3)First Five-Eighths
Rosie Kelly (23, Matatƫ, Canterbury, new cap)
Ruahei Demant (28, Blues, Auckland, 29) â Co-CaptainMidfield
Amy du Plessis (24, Matatƫ, Canterbury, 10)
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (19, Blues, Auckland, 9)
Patricia Maliepo (20, Blues, Auckland, 3)Outside Backs
Katelyn Vahaakolo (23, Blues, Auckland, 2)
Martha Mataele (24, Matatƫ, Canterbury, new cap)
Mererangi Paul (24, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 2)
Renee Holmes (23, Matatƫ, Waikato, 13)
Ruby Tui (31, Counties Manukau, 10)Unavailable for selection due to injury: Ayesha Leti-I'iga (knee), Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Charmaine McMenamin (knee), Santo Taumata (knee).
Those players not selected include Joanah Ngan-Woo, Kendra Reynolds and Phillipa Love.