Black Ferns favourite Ruby Tui’s Rugby World Cup omission a ‘millimetre’ decision
Friday, 25 July 2025
Black Ferns name 32-strong squad for Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Ruby Tui not selected after being dropped for Pacific Four Series.
Veteran playmaker Kelly Brazier picked for her fourth World Cup.
After her last appearance for the Black Ferns, Ruby Tui gave a shout out to the New Zealand public for showing up to support women’s rugby.
Their match against Australia at Sky Stadium in Wellington two weeks ago was part of a double header with the second All Blacks test against France.
It was noted by Tui how many of the 33,000 ticket holders turned up to watch both fixtures.
On Friday evening, Tui showed up for the Black Ferns herself.
Easily the biggest omission, the popular winger put the disappointment of missing out on the squad for the Rugby World Cup behind her, travelling to Wellington to show support for the players who were named for New Zealand’s defence.
Sporting a Black Ferns jacket, Tui cheered as every one of the 32 players were called onto the stage at Maidstone Sports Hub by former international Honey Hiremi-Smiler.
The biggest cheer was reserved for fullback Renee Holmes, who fought her way back into World Cup contention after missing the Pacific Four Series alongside Tui in May.
“Her showing up today is a true testament to her character and the person she is,” Holmes said.
“I don’t think a lot of players would be in this room today if they weren’t selected but she’s amazing, the whole world knows it.
“She would do anything for the game and it’s pretty cool to have her here.”
It’s hard to comprehend the top try-scorer during Super Rugby Aupiki isn’t among the best 32 women’s rugby players in New Zealand but coach Allan Bunting couldn’t find room for Tui in his five outside backs.
Overtaken by Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Katelyn Vahaakolo since the Black Ferns’ last World Cup win in 2022, the 33-year-old fell further down the pecking order when the legendary Portia Woodman-Wickliffe came out of retirement and 18-year-old sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee emerged as a breakout star.
Sorensen-McGee and Holmes will likely compete for the No. 15 jersey, leaving Leti-I’iga, Vahaakolo and Woodman-Wickliffe to vie for just two spots on the wing.
Tui gave herself the best shot by scoring against Australia after earning late a recall when Leti-I’iga picked up a minor hamstring injury but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
“Look who is in there now. Who do you leave out? It’s millimetres,” Bunting told Stuff.
“She’s been massive. She’s been in and out and she still gives everything. It was really tough [not picking her].”
Sorensen-McGee, an elusive fullback from the champion Blues, is one of six rookies who have timed their runs to perfection after only making their debuts for New Zealand this year.
Fourteen of the squad will be gearing up for their first World Cup, including Black Ferns Sevens stars Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.
Miller has been selected as an openside flanker but roams on the edges like a centre and has the potential to take the tournament by storm.
Lock Laura Bayfield is the closest thing to a bolter, after making her Black Ferns debut as a second-half replacement in their 37-12 win over Australia two weeks ago.
She works as an engineer in the army and only picked up rugby four years ago.
Prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu has also only played once for New Zealand.
At the other end of the spectrum, veteran playmaker Kelly Brazier has been preferred over World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year Hannah King as captain Ruahei Demant’s back-up at first-five.
Until taking the field against Australia, the 35-year-old had not featured for the Black Ferns since 2021.
Brazier will be appearing at her fourth World Cup and is gunning for world title No. 3 after tasting success in 2010 and 2017, and not being selected in 2022.
Bunting said her “experience” was ultimately what gave her the nod.
“She’s been to plenty of pinnacle events, not just 15s but sevens too. Her calmness and tactical knowledge…
“We’ve got plenty of young first-fives coming through and Hannah King is going really well. It was a tough call. It’s not quite her time now but her time will come.”
The Black Ferns will remain in Upper Hutt to finalise their World Cup preparations at the state of the art New Zealand Campus of Innovation before heading to England for their opening game against Spain on August 25.
Black Ferns - Rugby World Cup squad
Props: Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko
Hookers: Vici-Rose Green, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby
Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos
Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu
Halfbacks: Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
First-fives: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant
Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka
Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
World Cup fixtures (NZ time)
August 25, 4:30am: Spain at York Community Stadium, York
September 1, 1am: Japan at Sandy Park, Exeter
September 8, 1:45am: Ireland at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton and Hove
Quarterfinals TBC: September 14 or 15 at Sandy Park, Exeter
Semifinals TBC: September 20 or 21 at Ashton Gate, Bristol
Final TBC: September 28 at Twickenham, London