Black Ferns dealt injury blow with Jorja Miller ruled out of Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinal with Canada
Thursday, 18 September 2025
The Black Ferns have been jolted by a huge injury blow with Jorja Miller ruled out of their seismic semifinal against Canada at the women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday (NZ time).
The reigning world sevens player of the year has largely lived up to the hype after switching to 15s this season and was primed for a major role at the sharp end of the tournament in England.
However, there are concerns the openside flanker could miss the rest of the World Cup as the Black Ferns aim to win their seventh title.
The 21-year-old was listed as “unavailable due to injury” for the semifinal in Bristol, their biggest test since their World Cup final success against England at Eden Park in 2022.
It’s unclear if Miller will be able to play next weekend, with the Black Ferns featuring in either the final or third-place playoff at Twickenham.
There were no specifics when the team was named, only that Miller was working with the medical team.
Her left knee was heavily strapped in their 46-17 quarterfinal win against South Africa in Exeter last weekend.
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting, speaking to media on Thursday morning (NZ time), wouldn’t clarify if Miller would play again in England. Rookie test lock Laura Bayfield was also ruled out.
“At the moment both of our players have requested privacy around the injuries,” Bunting said.
“It’s a semifinal, we are pretty excited. Obviously we don’t have Jorja, but we’ve got this lady sitting next to me [Kennedy Tukuafu] and Layla Sa’e comes on the bench who was massively impressive in her first couple of games. They bring their own presence and special gifts. We have a strong team this weekend.”
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, who replaces Miller at openside flanker, said “we all know she’s going to do everything she needs to do”.
“I go to her if I need her help in the position because she has been starting. She’s an incredible person who’s done a lot for our team off the field, she’s done a lot for me,” Tukuafu said.
“She is an incredible player, but we haven’t felt her presence leave at all. She continues to serve the team in a different way.”
Miller departed in the 46th minute of their quarterfinal and hasn’t been deemed fit enough for the enormous challenge the Black Ferns face against a Canadian team they haven’t beaten in their last two encounters.
They meet in the World Cup’s first semifinal at Ashton Gate on Saturday at 6am (NZ time).
Tukuafu has been promoted from the bench in Miller’s absence and Layla Sa’e returns to the 23 as their reserve loose forward.
One of the game’s great prospects featuring at her first World Cup, Miller had dazzled with her speed out wide, turnovers and some outstanding tries, with the complementing physical intent needed to take on World Cup contenders such as massive favourites England and Canada.
The Timaru talent was touted as the X-factor the Black Ferns would need to overcome their big rivals to win a seventh world title. Her threat down the channels when joining the Black Ferns’ outside backs was looking like a dangerous weapon for the tournament’s final stages.
Offsetting Miller’s absence are the selections of Sylvia Brunt and Theresa Setefano to ease concerns the world champions faced with their midfield after Amy du Plessis was ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury.
Brunt and Setefano have passed concussion tests, a relief for Bunting who was facing a reshuffle to his backline if neither were available to play the world No 2 Canadians.
The concern over Brunt and Setefano’s availability, combined with du Plessis’ cruel injury, led to Bunting asking outside back Mererangi Paul to fly across the world to join the squad as cover.
However, Renee Holmes, Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe have been retained as their back three and co-captain Ruahei Demant will lead the team at first five-eighth in her 50th test.
Bunting has stuck with Stacey Waaka at centre and Brunt returns to second five-eighth after missing the quarterfinal victory because of a head knock suffered in their final pool win (40-0) over Ireland. Setefano will come off the bench and has forced Katelyn Vaha'akolo out of the 23.
Other starting changes see Risi Pouri-Lane replacing Maia Joseph at halfback, while prop Tanya Kalounivale has been reintroduced at tighthead for Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu.
None, however, are as significant as losing Miller.
Still, Tukuafu is a quality replacement, their World Cup-winning co-captain from 2022, who has ample experience of taking on the formidable packs the Black Ferns will have to better to keep the trophy, as do No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u at blindside flanker.
Sa’e has also impressed in her World Cup debut and was unlucky to drop out of the team that battled past the forceful South Africans.
Mahutariki-Fakalelu excelled against the Springbok women, but she makes way for the more experienced tighthead duo of Kalounivale and Amy Rule.
Kate Henwood has been preferred over Awhina Tangen-Wainohu as loosehead cover for Chryss Viliko. Georgia Ponsonby is retained at hooker with Atlanta Lolohea on the bench.
Bayfield was omitted due to injury for a trio of 2022 World Cup winners, with Alana Bremner and Maia Roos resuming their combination in the second row and Chelsea Bremner in reserve.
Meanwhile, Canada have named an unchanged 23 from their 46-5 quarterfinal win over Australia.
Black Ferns v Canada — Rugby World Cup semifinal
Saturday, 6am at Ashton Gate, Bristol (NZ time)
Black Ferns: Renee Holmes, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Stacey Waaka, Sylvia Brunt, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Risi Pouri-Lane; Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt), Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Alana Bremner, Maia Roos, Tanya Kalounivale, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Atlanta Lolohea, Kate Henwood, Amy Rule, Chelsea Bremner, Layla Sa’e, Maia Joseph, Theresa Setefano, Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
Canada: Julia Schell, Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Alex Tessier (capt), Asia Hogan-Rochester, Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; Fabiola Forteza, Karen Paquin, Caroline Crossley, Courtney O'Donnell, Sophie de Goede, DaLeaka Menin, Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt. Reserves: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Tyson Beukeboom, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, Olivia Apps, Shoshanah Seumanutafa.