The Silver Fern

Today Ponsonby U21's beat Marist in the championship final to add that trophy to our Men's and Woman's titles. Not a bad seasons work from the grand old club.

Seems to be a Halfback who has been on loan to Thames Valley -

Scott Penney  /  Aug 19, 2024

Charlie Marsh

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40 year old Joe Royal captained Ponsonby to our 49th Auckland championship and his own 8th. A great achievement today with only 8 returning players that played in last seasons final winning side.
Ponies scored twice in the first 7 minutes but a tough Marist side hung in there and scored with 90 seconds remaining to have a chance of snatching it.
Final score 27-21.

The Black Ferns squad for the Rugby World Cup 2025 is (Age, Super Rugby Club, Provincial Union, Test caps):

Loosehead props

*Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 Tests)

Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 7 Tests)

*Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 13 Tests)

Hookers

*Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests)

*Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 Tests)

Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 Tests)

Tighthead props

Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests)

*Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test)

Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests)

Locks

*Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 1 Test)

Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 29 Tests)

Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 22 Tests)

Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 33 Tests)

Loose forwards

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Tests)

*Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, Canterbury, 2 Tests)

*Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Matatū, Manawatū, 12 Tests)

*Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 14 Tests)

Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 30 Tests)

Halfbacks

*Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 Tests)

*Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 Tests)

*Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens, Ta$man, 2 Tests)

First five-eighths

Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 43 Tests)

Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 45 Tests)

Midfielders

Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 25 Tests)

Amy du Plessis (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 Tests)

Theresa Setefano (30, Blues, Auckland, 19 Tests)

Stacey Waaka (29, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Tests)

Outside backs

Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23 Tests)

Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 Tests)

*Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 Tests)

*Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 17 Tests)

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (34, Blues, Northland, 27 Tests)

Non-travelling reserve

Krystal Murray (32, Chiefs Manawa, Northland, 14 Tests)

*denotes first Rugby World Cup

Black Ferns timeline:

· August 13 - Depart for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign in England

· August 25 – Black Ferns v Spain, York Community Stadium, York, 4.30am (NZT) kick-off

· September 1 – Black ferns v Japan, Sandy Park, Exeter, 1.00am (NZT) kick-off

· September 8 – Black Ferns v Ireland, Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton & Hove, 1.45am (NZT) kick-off

Auckland 52 - 7 Northland in the warmup game. It appears from the clips that Segner was captain.

Auckland team sheet v Northland today -

The Black Ferns unveil their 33-player squad for the 2025 tournament in England at 5.05pm NZT on Friday 25 July.

Tune in on YouTube from 5.05pm NZT on Friday 25 July, as the Black Ferns announce the squad set to defend their Rugby World Cup crown in England.

The Rugby World Cup will take place in between 22 August and 27 September 2025, with the Black Ferns drawn in Pool C alongside Ireland, Japan and Spain.

At 40 years old Joe Royal is going for his 8th Gallaher Shield championship win with the mighty Ponsonby in the final this Saturday. It will also be his 150th game for Ponies. Club Legend.

30K views · 529 reactions | Joe Royal will attempt to win his 8️⃣th...

Joe Royal will attempt to win his 8️⃣th Gallaher Shield in his 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣th for Ponsonby Rugby Club this Saturday 🤯 Not sure which is more impressive!? 👏 What a legend of Club Rugby 💙🤍.

Hunt is on for a new CEO as Hore departs -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360765168/blues-ceo-andrew-hore-depart-super-rugby-powerhouse-club

ANDREW HORE TO STEP DOWN AS CEO — Blues Rugby

Vern likes a big pack so I think Trystan Cook gets picked to share 6/lock with Christie, allowing Segner to be back up 7. Segner needs to specialize to advance his game. He tends to be the spare part man at the moment playing which ever position there are injuries . He is still only 23 so has time to grow his game. They had 7 props and six loosies this year which is unusual so could let Sheck go and add another specialist 7. Kitiona Vai would be an exciting openside option if he doesn't return to the Sevens (and stays fit).
With Choat likely paying in the NPC it may limit game time for SHF and Vai unless Choat plays 6. I would like the two young guys share 7 duties so they can be assessed for super selection. SHF is only 22 and has been in the blues training group for 2-3 years but is always injured. He has played only one game for Auckland, in 2022 off the bench.

With Reon Paul off contract there is effectively 2 wing spots open. Paul, Vai, Banks and Tito Harris maybe in contention . Even Harlyn Saunoa if they want a real punt on youth (more likely in academy group). Tito-Harris and Banks would be my choice.
The fact they are naming two together suggests maybe its the Vai brothers. (or maybe the Bason brothers, just to upset those Canes fans!)
Otherwise my guess for today would Slater or players who trained with them this year likke Tupaea, Cook, Simpson.