Womens RWC 2025

RoninWC

Black Ferns team v South Africa (Test caps):

Chryss Viliko (16)
Georgia Ponsonby (34)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (2)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (35)
Alana Bremner (32)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (32)
Jorja Miller (5)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (13)
Maia Joseph (13)
Ruahei Demant (48) – co-captain
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (31)
Theresa Setefano (22)
Stacey Waaka (29)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (6)
Renee Holmes (26)
Atlanta Lolohea (8)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (8)
Kate Henwood (12)
Laura Bayfield (4)
Kennedy Tukuafu (32) – co-captain
Iritana Hohaia (18)
Amy du Plessis (22)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (28)

Unavailable due to injury: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (head).

pourfasse

Amy Du Plessis ! Good news. J'aime la voir jouer, she had good lines.

Bones

No Risi?

Snowy

@Bones said in Womens RWC 2025:

No Risi?

A bit odd and there doesn’t seem to be any comment on it anywhere.

AI says: “ This decision is part of the Black Ferns' overall team rotation and tactical planning for the knockout stages of the tournament. ” but fuck knows where it made that up from.

Bovidae

They look to be rotating the props, although Kalounivale did go off injured. She isn't listed as being unavailable though. I don't remember Henwood playing TH before.

RoninWC

@Snowy said in Womens RWC 2025:

@Bones said in Womens RWC 2025:

No Risi?

A bit odd and there doesn’t seem to be any comment on it anywhere.

AI says: “ This decision is part of the Black Ferns' overall team rotation and tactical planning for the knockout stages of the tournament. ” but fuck knows where it made that up from.

Definitely looks like rotation. Risi has clearly been our best halfback since coming into the 15's from the 7's.

Last game against Ireland, she did look a bit gassed and her passing wasn't as good as it has been. A rest will probably do her good and this game should help choose who is her back up, Joseph or Hohaia.

Disappointed that Leti-I'inga isn't getting another start as she really sparked things when she replaced Portia against Ireland.

Snowy

@RoninWC said in Womens RWC 2025:

@Snowy said in Womens RWC 2025:

@Bones said in Womens RWC 2025:

No Risi?

A bit odd and there doesn’t seem to be any comment on it anywhere.

AI says: “ This decision is part of the Black Ferns' overall team rotation and tactical planning for the knockout stages of the tournament. ” but fuck knows where it made that up from.

Definitely looks like rotation.

It does, but I couldn’t find a person actually saying it, just a glorified waffle iron (anyone remember when “fuzzy logic” was a thing?)

chimoaus

@kiwiinmelb said in Womens RWC 2025:

Just watched the mini match, some impressive ball skills by our girls.
Very fun to watch

Is it just me but is the actual spectator experience in the woman's game better than the men's at the moment? Lots of backline play, lots of great tries, far less box kicking and aerial ping pong. I for one have been loving the tournament so far and look forward to the finals.

JA

Agreed, some of the tries, particularly in the Black Ferns games have been genuinely top shelf and yes way less box kicking. I feel there is more tolerance for losing a bit of ground over a few rucks but still hanging onto it and building into something.

With the men's game , it's generally an immediate kick for a slow ruck or getting caught behind the advantage line.

One thing that does nag at the back of my head is the quality of one on one tackling. Maybe unfairly but makes you think if it's actually a great run or just a shit tackle attempt. I feel it's the latter a lot of the time.

Not specific to the women game, e.g. Marx missing Jordan but feel it happens more frequently with the games I've watched.

chimoaus

@JA Yeah, I suspect the non-stop kicking is a counter to rush defence which often results in lost territory if you spread it wide. Not sure how to solve that, maybe trial the offside line being 5m back from the ruck, not sure. What would be interesting to see in the production is an offside line from the ruck similar to you get in NFL with the 10 yard line. It would be interesting to see how often rush defence are offside.

Bones

@chimoaus sounds like an absolute nightmare to referee, especially at amateur level.

chimoaus

@Bones Yeah, likely why it has never happened. Just trying to think how do they create more space in the mens game as rush D has really caused this new kicking battle where teams would almost rather be on defence and cause a turnover or penalty then have the ball.

booboo

I've always wondered why they don't try an inside ball, like Sititi to Jordan last week, more often.

If the rush is on the outside try and go inside it.

Maybe I'm missing where it's been tried, or they've analysed it doesn't work, but I've not seen it.

mohikamo

A good kicking game will stop the rush D.
That's why they kick, the problem is most of the kicking is shit, and just hands possession over.
You do not want any of those off the cuff shit kicks; the kicks have to be precise, very precise.
That mean's it'll have to be planned and practiced in training.
Probably want a 90% + regain possession rate.
Kick and regain once or twice early in a game and the D will have to back off to cover.
And that'll be the end of the rush D.

kidcalder

Amy Du Plessis out of tournament and a replacement to be called in

Bovidae

Kelsey Teneti would be the ideal replacement - centre and wing cover.

canefan

BFs are loaded, headed by youngsters Miller and Sorensen McGhee. She's the niece of Kurt and Dane Sorensen. 5 relatives that have played for the Kiwis. Mad genetics

sparky

South Africa with 86% possession after 15 minutes but going mostly side to side.

0-0.

KiwiMurph

BFs won't have to worry about a replacement if they cant get themselves into this game. They have no ball.

Bones

So far playing like Razor stepped in to coach this week. 50 tackles to SA's 3.

The Silver Fern

Womens RWC 2025