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Wayne Smith and the Black Ferns during a training session. Photo / Photosport The Black Ferns have announced their first squad of the year as the Rugby World Cup draws closer. Black Ferns coaches Wayne Smith, Wesley Clarke and Whitney Hansen have named 31 players in the squad set to host Australia, Canada and USA next month. Seven players are in…

Neither was lock Eloise Blackwell, who was one of the vice-captains on last year's troubled northern tour when the Black Ferns were heavily beaten in all four tests against England and France. Clarke said Elder was among a number of players, including Blackwell and veteran outside back Renee Wickliffe, who were not yet right physically to play in…

England were handed a chance to snatch victory in the dying minutes but two lineout drives were repelled New Zealand put their "struggles" behind them to win the women's Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 34-31 victory over England in front of a record 40000 crowd in Auckland on Saturday. The Black Ferns retained their title in a spectacular end to a…

New Zealand's running game trumped England's power to win a thrilling final of the women's Rugby World Cup 34-31 in Auckland on Saturday and retain their title in front of a record 40000 crowd. It was a spectacular end to a tournament that has broken records for attendances and came after England played three-quarters of the game with 14…

England coach Simon Middleton says England have created "something special" ahead of their meeting with New Zealand in the final of the delayed 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Saturday. The showdown is a repeat of the 2017 final, which New Zealand won 41-32 in Belfast to seal their fifth title. "There can be no bigger challenge in sport…

Wales have bowed out of the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-final stage after another heavy defeat by defending champions New Zealand. The Black Ferns were in a rampant mood and ran in nine tries in front of their adoring fans. Wales battled hard, but could only manage a Keira Bevan penalty. The hosts face France in the semi-finals next Saturday at…

While a new era has begun to dawn for women's rugby in this country, the acute disappointment of missing out on the World Cup is likely to be revisited by all those associated with the Irish team when the competition, put back a year, takes place in New Zealand over the next five weekends. That heartbreaking 20-18 defeat by Scotland in the final…

Joseph Pearson is a sports reporter for Stuff OPINION: The Black Ferns host Japan in their final test before their Rugby World Cup campaign begins against Australia at Eden Park on October 8. The reigning world champions should win emphatically in their first meeting with the Japanese in test rugby. Coach Wayne Smith confirmed 10 changes to the…

Sevens stars Sarah Hirini and Portia Woodman are straight into the Black Ferns team for their final test before the Rugby World Cup opener at Eden Park in two weeks. As is outside back Stacey Fluhler, albeit from the bench, with Hirini starting at openside flanker and Woodman on the right wing in Auckland on Saturday. The trio were 15s World Cup…

Black Ferns coaches Wayne Smith, Wesley Clarke and Whitney Hansen have selected 32 players in the Black Ferns squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, hosted in New Zealand for the first time. The squad was announced by New Zealand Rugby Deputy Chair and Rugby World Cup winner Dr Farah Palmer at College Rifles Rugby Club on Tuesday.

Props Tanya Kalounivale (23, Waikato, Chiefs, 4)Phillipa Love (32, Canterbury, Matat?, 19)Krystal Murray (29, Northland, Blues, 4)Amy Rule (22, Canterbury, Matat?, 6)Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (24, Waikato, Chiefs, 1) Santo Taumata (19, Bay of Plenty, Chiefs, 1) Locks Chelsea Bremner (27, Canterbury, Matat?, 5)Joanah Ngan-Woo (26, Wellington,…

After a spate of injuries that could easily have ended their careers, rugby couple Renee Wickliffe and Portia Woodman have helped each other back into the Black Ferns to defend the World Cup at home next month. Suzanne McFadden was at the team naming. Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei Seek the treasure that you value most…

New Zealand Sevens stars Portia Woodman, Sarah Hirini and Stacey Fluhler have been named in the Black Ferns squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Black Ferns coaches Wayne Smith, Wesley Clarke and Whitney Hansen selected 32 players in the squad, which was announced by New Zealand Rugby deputy chair and Rugby World Cup winner Dr…

Sevens stars Portia Woodman, Sarah Hirini and Stacey Fluhler have been named in a 32 strong Blacks Ferns squad for the upcoming World Cup in Aotearoa. Kennedy Simon and Ruahei Demant will co-captain the side. Among the notable ommissions are Chiefs first five Chelsea Semple, Sevens player Tyla Nathan Wong and Canterbury winger Grace…