Black Ferns Trial
21 days until we name our World Cup squad
We weren’t sure when they initially announced this match what purpose it would serve. The Black Ferns XV from here head to South Africa. Our development squad taking on a developing nation in a two match series. The Black Ferns themselves have just one final test. They play the Wallaroos next week before they head to England to defend their World Cup.
So was this a chance for both of these teams to have a final hit out before heading off to their next assignment? Or was it a trial match similar to the game played in July of 2022?
Remember that game? It wasn’t probables vs possibles but instead branded Rawata vs Ngalingali for some reason that I never really understood. That game was a blow out for Rawata, 59-5. So I’m not sure it was much use to anyone except Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali who turned up to remind everyone what class she was with the boot.
Well, the team lists for this weekend dropped with the asterisk attached answering the question. This is very much a trial match. Hence why we have 58 players across the two squads taking part. This does actually represent a whittling down as 33 were named in the Black Ferns July squad and 31 in the Black Ferns XV.
I will just stress here that Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Mererangi Paul are all out ahead of final World Cup selection nursing niggles. I can also confirm for you that the Black Ferns World Cup squad will be officially announced Friday, 25 July. England’s team is being named the day before. Put it in your diary, we are SO CLOSE.
On 25 July, we will name 32 players. Of the 58 playing this weekend, there are 10 that I think are playing to stay alive in World Cup conversations. 9 that are prospects for the future and 3 that make a case for the integration of our Black Ferns 15s and 7s high performance programmes. Let me break down that detail for you.
Staying alive
Grouped by positions, these are the 9 players I think are in the hunt for a World Cup spot this weekend.
Krystal Murray (prop)
I think Muzz did herself a disservice staying with the Manawa this year amongst that log jam of propping talent. Had she returned to her previous franchise the Hurricanes Poua, she would have had a lot more game time and a lot more chances to make her case.
But hey, in order to be the best, you gotta beat them so perhaps that was her motivation. I just she is an example of the current flaws within Aupiki and the way it should be servicing the Black Ferns.
We can’t rule her out completely as Muzz still offers a level of ball skills higher than most. Is it enough to edge out the others though? Look forward to seeing how the battle goes between her and young gun, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu.
Vici-Rose Green (hooker)
Luka Connor (hooker)
I’m not going to seperate out these two as I think this is a head to head fight for the third hooking spot. It appears that the current pecking order is Georgia Ponsonby, Atlanta Lolohea and then ?? Green is just that, green. She’s had less time to establish herself in the squad. Connor meanwhile has had a rough year but being given the start tomorrow, has been given an opportunity to stake her claim.
The Black Ferns lineouts have not been it this year. If Connor comes on tomorrow and throws darts, she could break some hearts.
Mia Anderson (flanker)
I heard a rumour they were trying to convert Anderson to hooker. Which like, too late for that team! This does perhaps signal that they want to find a place for her. If I’m honest, I think our flankers are locked up. But should anyone go down, a good match from Anderson tomorrow makes her the first call to offer cover.
Chelsea Bremner (lock)
Laura Bayfield (lock)
These two offer another head to head option. Bayfield has been in strong form this year so getting brought in at this late stage is a reward for that. I still think her inclusion in the World Cup would be classed as a wildcard. But the fact she’s here means we should keep a closer eye on her in the seasons ahead. Chelsea Bremner just needs to show that trademark grind to make her way into the final squad. Her spot to lose as I see it.
Kelly Brazier (1st five/utility)
Renee Holmes (fullback/utility)
I’m group these two because I think it’s their kicking abilities which are keeping them in contention right now. We have a conversion problem. For all the razzle-dazzle of the last Black Ferns blowout against the USA, 12 points were left on the tee. It was a missed conversion too that saw us miss out on a win against Canada.
You cannot get away with leaving any points behind in a World Cup. Just ask the All Blacks.
We need to take every opportunity we can so there is an opportunity here for both of these players to kick their way back into the mix.
Iritana Hohaia (halfback)
We should take three halfback to the World Cup. But as we get close and have to slice and dice to make the talent fit the roster, this is a line call that could be made. Hohaia will need to take that option off the table. If she links up well with her old Poua teammate, Hannah King, she’ll lock in her place.
Ruby Tui (wing)
She’s an outside shot but were she to have an outstanding game tomorrow, the fans could demand Ruby gets back in the team.
The next generation
The Black Ferns XV, while being repurposed tomorrow as a trial team, are actually about development. There are nine players that are named tomorrow that I think will be important in the cycle that follows this World Cup.
I’ve heard only good things about young Gizzy talent, Jordy Tihore. Hooker is still an underdeveloped area to my mind so continue to play strong and she could quickly rocket up the ranks. In the loose forwards, Elinor-Plum King, Taufa Bason and Holly Greenway all point to a strong future. There’s every chance that one of them puts on an absolute show tomorrow and gets put on injury standby for World Cup flankers.
Kaea Nepia and Tara Turner were both strong during this year’s Aupiki. As they continue to grow they will continue to put pressure on players within the current Black Ferns set up.
And finally, Keira Su’a-Smith. Yes I’m bias cause she’s not only from Wellington but literally across the road. She was a ring in injury cover for the Poua this year and was strong despite playing way out of her position on the wing. If she gets to show what she can do in her preferred position, Su’a-Smith will go far.
3 for integration
There are three players that would benefit from us merging the Black Ferns 7s and 15s competitions. They are Jaymie Kolose, Kelsey Teneti and Justine McGregor. All are quality players that are stuck in a training limbo. Deemed good enough to pull into the sevens programme but not quite good enough to get regular game time.
Do you remember who the breakout star of the Blues was back in 2023? It was Jaymie Kolose. That performance got Jaymie pulled over to the 7s to play more than train. While the other Blues winger, Katelyn Vahaakolo, went on to debut for the Black Ferns 15s and win the World Rugby Rookie of the year. She’s since come over and played Black Ferns 7s as well. The key difference as far as I can see it has been playing time. They both train hard but KV has levelled up through more time on the grass.
So what are we doing here? From what I understand, Braxton Sorensen-McGee has signed a hybrid contract. Which basically has her operating like a Canadian player, available to play big ticket events in both codes. Kelsey Teneti and Justine McGregor would benefit from similar arrangements. Plug them into more games and see how they grow.
Read this far? Congratulations! Your reward it the trial match tomorrow. Kick off is 1.05pm on Sky Sports 1.
With you,
Alice