Category: 6. Sports

  • Ikee Rikako zeroes in on LA28 post-leukemia diagnosis: “Not trying to beat myself from the past anymore”

    Ikee Rikako zeroes in on LA28 post-leukemia diagnosis: “Not trying to beat myself from the past anymore”

    Ikee Rikako: “My focus is on overcoming who I am today”

    Ikee will be 28 when LA rolls around. After beating leukemia and defying all odds to miraculously qualify for Tokyo 2020, she had high hopes for herself for Paris 2024 with a proper run-up to the Games.

    Things did not turn out the way Ikee had expected. In the only individual race of the meet, the 100m butterfly, her signature race, she didn’t make it past the semi-finals with the 12th fastest time overall.

    Despite the results, Ikee was proud she had qualified for a third successive Olympics because at one point, she was facing the darkest chapter of her life.

    Yet at the same time, Ikee was humbled by a hard dose of reality, the reality that she may no longer be the swimmer she once was prior to her illness, the version that swept to six titles at the 2018 Asian Games and was named MVP.

    “I’m not trying to beat myself from the past anymore,” she said. “The reality is, it’s all but impossible for me to do – so my focus is on overcoming who I am today.”

    “So I can’t sit here and say I’m that confident but I do always want to be a better version of who I am. I’d be super happy if I can record a new PB (at LA).

    “I was incredibly nervous in Paris. You know how some people say they feel like throwing up because they’re so nervous? That’s how I felt. It was suffocating, overwhelming.

    “I didn’t know what it was but pressure was all over me.”

    After Paris, Ikee tried taking it easy. But Ikee being Ikee, she soon found out taking it easy was not her thing. Ever the competitor, the fire in her belly catches too quickly.

    Then there was the inclusion of the 50m events for LA28. Ikee had always described herself as a sprinter and as fate would have it, her fourth and final Games just might be her best shot yet at an elusive Olympic medal.

    “I was taking it easy after the Olympics, thinking 2025 would be slow. But once I was back in the pool, I started to feel like I wanted to go all in again. I guess I just don’t know how to take it easy.

    “With the 50m races now in for Los Angeles, all the top swimmers will be eyeing it. I think the field will be deep and super competitive.

    “Both the 50m and 100m have always been important to me, but there have been few Japanese who have been competitive in the 50m. I’ve spent the last year or so working on my mind and body so that I can keep up with the best in the world at the distance.”

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  • Sport’s Strangest Crimes podcast from BBC 5 Live returns with the scandal that changed cricket forever

    Sport’s Strangest Crimes podcast from BBC 5 Live returns with the scandal that changed cricket forever

    Sport’s Strangest Crimes: Hansie Cronje – Fall from Grace is the latest gripping six-part podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live, delving into one of the biggest sporting scandals of the modern era.

    Hosted by former England cricketer Mark Butcher, this series retraces the rise and fall of Hansie Cronje – from his glory days on the pitch to the secret deals, damning confessions, and an untimely death that left more questions than answers.

    The series begins with the now-infamous Centurion Test match – a rain-ruined draw suddenly brought back to life by a puzzling decision from Cronje. What looked like bold sportsmanship was later exposed as something far more sinister when a wiretap in India revealed damning evidence of match-fixing.

    Mark guides listeners through the story’s many twists: offshore accounts, secret phone calls, shady bookmakers, and a shocking televised inquiry. As the pressure mounts for a deeper investigation, Cronje is killed in a mysterious plane crash, officially blamed on pilot error, but still debated to this day.

    With testimony from former teammates, journalists, investigators, and those closest to the case, Mark uncovers a dark world of manipulation, power and money – and the real cost of betrayal in sport.

    Speaking about the podcast, Mark, said: “I played in that Centurion Test, and none of us knew what was really going on. Hansie’s story is both tragic and infuriating, and there’s still a lot we don’t understand. This series is about going back and asking the difficult questions. Who was the real Hansie Cronje? And how deep did this all go?”

    The series revisits a scandal that rocked international cricket and left an indelible mark on the game. Over two decades later, the echoes of Cronje’s downfall still resonate.

    The entire series of Sport’s Strangest Crimes: Hansie Cronje – Fall From Grace will be available on BBC Sounds from Wednesday 30 July 2025

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  • Pakistan pacer joins St. Kitts for CPL 2025 as Corbin Bosch’s replacement

    Pakistan pacer joins St. Kitts for CPL 2025 as Corbin Bosch’s replacement

    Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah is set to make a return to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after being signed by the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots as a replacement for South Africa’s Corbin Bosch ahead of the 2025 season, which begins on August 14.

    The right-arm fast bowler previously represented the Patriots in CPL 2021, where he played seven matches and picked up six wickets at an economy rate of 7.68. His performance in the final, where he took 2 for 26, played a crucial role in helping St Kitts clinch their maiden CPL title.

    Naseem brings a wealth of experience from various franchise leagues, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lanka Premier League (LPL), and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). However, his availability for the upcoming CPL season remains uncertain due to Pakistan’s packed international schedule. The national team is expected to tour the West Indies for a white-ball series, likely to participate in a tri-nation series with Afghanistan and the UAE, and compete in the Asia Cup 2025 in September.

    Naseem is one of six Pakistani players set to feature in CPL 2025. All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz will join him at St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, marking his debut in the league.

    Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, a seasoned campaigner with 51 wickets in 39 CPL matches, will turn out for Trinbago Knight Riders—his fourth team in the competition since 2021. He will be joined by Usman Tariq, a rising fast bowler who impressed in PSL 2024 and 2025 and will be making his CPL debut.

    Imad Wasim, who was briefly released ahead of the draft, has rejoined Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and is set to continue his journey in the CPL.

    Meanwhile, spin-bowling all-rounder Hasan Khan has been picked by Guyana Amazon Warriors. Reports suggest Hasan is exploring opportunities to switch his allegiance to USA cricket, but for now, he remains part of the CPL’s international talent pool.

    Pakistan players in CPL 2025:

    • St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz
    • Trinbago Knight Riders: Mohammad Amir, Usman Tariq
    • Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: Imad Wasim
    • Guyana Amazon Warriors: Hasan Khan


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  • England v Spain: Key issues in Euro 2025 final

    England v Spain: Key issues in Euro 2025 final

    Spain have a midfield packed with talent with Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati the standout players.

    But the biggest thing for England will be stopping supply to pivot midfielder Patri Guijarro, who links build-up play but is also happy to drop slightly deeper to get on the ball.

    Bonmati and Putellas like to play like two 10s, in the pockets between midfield and defence.

    England will have to stay compact enough that they limit space for Spain’s midfielders to operate in so they’re not in behind the Lionesses midfield but they have to drop in front of it to try and get on the ball – that will be key to stopping those passing lanes.

    People are probably saying England will be happy to let Spain have the ball and dominate possession.

    I don’t know if it’s a case of them being happy to allow that, it’s just that Spain are so good they will ultimately have the ball. Their whole strategy is to dominate possession and positional play.

    I think England will be happier to play in transition and manager Sarina Wiegman has the profile of players at her disposal to play that way.

    Looking at England’s other games, they have been the team that should dominate the ball and the game but, for whatever reason, that hasn’t come to fruition.

    As we saw against Italy and Sweden, England struggled to unlock and break them down. The Netherlands was arguably the best game they have played in the competition but they have struggled to be that team that command the game.

    Against Spain, it would suit England to be a threat in transition but every player has to focus on their role and responsibility to maintain concentration in those desperate defensive moments.

    Germany had some very good chances to score in transition against Spain in their semi-final and didn’t take them, but they exposed areas of weakness in the world champions.

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  • BCCI silent as IND vs PAK Asia Cup leaks flood internet; fans criticse Indian cricket board – Firstpost

    BCCI silent as IND vs PAK Asia Cup leaks flood internet; fans criticse Indian cricket board – Firstpost

    The BCCI is yet to confirm anything, but media reports are flooded with news of India and Pakistan facing each other in the 2025 Asia Cup, something that hasn’t gone down well with fans.

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    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to keep mum on the future of the Asia Cup 2025, as media leaks have flooded the internet that
    India and Pakistan will be part of the same group in the tournament, set to take place in the second week of September. The reports also state that BCCI has agreed to organise the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite being the hosts. This will allow the Indian team to avoid travelling to a neutral venue for the matches against the Pakistan cricket team.

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    A report in the Hindustan Times states that BCCI is yet to make any formal comment on the matter, as “further deliberations” are still required. “We are in consultations with the BCCI and hopefully we will resolve the (issues) very soon,” Mohsin Naqvi, The chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC), told reporters on Thursday in Dhaka.

    India to play Pakistan in Asia Cup?

    The news of India and Pakistan possibly being in the same group in the Asia Cup 2025 and that the BCCI has agreed to host the tournament, went viral after the Indian cricket board took part in the ACC AGM after
    initially boycotting the event. The news of BCCI attending the AGM has been confirmed by secretary Devajit Saikia.

    “Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don’t believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told news agency PTI.

    Immediately after the AGM ended, media houses like the Times of India and India Today started reporting that the Asia Cup will be held as planned this year, despite the deteriorating relationship between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack and that both the national teams could find themselves in the same group.

    Reportedly, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla and ACC president Naqvi are also due to meet again to finalise the schedule.

    “It has been decided that the Asia Cup will be held. Shukla and Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are scheduled to meet in the coming days to finalise the venues and the tournament schedule.

    “Being the designated hosts, the BCCI is likely to announce the schedule of the tournament in the next few days,” a BCCI source told the Times of India.

    The source added that the BCCI is also in touch with the Indian government to obtain permission for the event. “The BCCI is in touch with the Indian government for permission to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup,” the source added.

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    Fans slam BCCI over Asia Cup stand

    The news of India playing Pakistan for the first time in international cricket since the Phalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, possibly at the Asia Cup, did not go down well with a few fans who slammed the BCCI on social media platforms.

    “Despite the Pahalgam tragedy, India likely to face Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025. Promotions already underway. SHAME on @BCCI for not pulling out. Is wearing BLACK ARMBANDS all you can do?” a user asked on X.

    Another user said: “Small money is involved so WCL got cancelled but India is still playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup and BCCI hasn’t cancelled it because the amount of money decides the level of patriotism.”

    Here are some more reactions:

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    While the pressure from broadcasters could be a reason behind BCCI’s possible agreement to the Asia Cup and playing against Pakistan, the ball is still in the Indian government’s court.


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  • Arshad Nadeem undergoes calf surgery; upcoming Neeraj Chopra clash in doubt

    Arshad Nadeem undergoes calf surgery; upcoming Neeraj Chopra clash in doubt

    The two were also expected to meet at the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League season on August 20, before squaring off again at the World Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, in September.

    However, Salman Butt did leave the window open for one Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem duel before the big one at Tokyo, saying that the Pakistani ace may compete in one event before Tokyo25 if deemed fit medically.

    Nadeem recently marked a triumphant return to action by winning the gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, the Republic of Korea, last month. It was his first competitive outing since becoming the Olympic champion.

    Nadeem will be hoping to depose Neeraj of his world title in Tokyo this September, having finished with a silver medal behind his Indian rival in Budapest two years ago.

    In June last year, Nadeem was forced to withdraw from the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland with a minor calf injury but returned to action a month later at the Paris Diamond League before striking gold at the Olympics.

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  • Black Ferns name 33-strong squad for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

    Black Ferns name 33-strong squad for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

    Black Ferns coaches Allan Bunting, Tony Christie, Steve Jackson, Dan Cron and Riki Flutey have selected 33 players – 19 forwards and 14 backs – to defend their title at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, which starts in England on 22 August.

    Kelly Brazier is set to play in her fourth Rugby World Cup, while Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka will attend their third. In all, 16 players return from the last edition in New Zealand three years ago, including co-captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu. 

    Teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 18, is the youngest member of the squad and will make her tournament debut alongside the newest Black Fern, Laura Bayfield, who earned a first cap in the last home test against Australia.

    World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, Jorja Miller, and half-back Risaleaana Pouri-Lane earned their selections following impressive transitions to the 15s game.

    “On behalf of the coaching group, I’d like to congratulate all our players named tonight in front of their whānau. We are really excited about this group and truly believe they can take us to the next level,” Bunting said at the naming ceremony. 

    “We’ve got vast experience across our squad, with more than half of our players having competed at pinnacle events. While it’s an exciting time for those selected, I’d like to acknowledge the players who have missed out. Their contribution to the black jersey and to our team this year has been immense, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.

    “The level of depth and internal competition we have seen from our wider squad made the selection process very difficult, however this speaks to the growth and exciting future of women’s rugby in Aotearoa.”

    The Black Ferns have assembled in Wellington for their final training camp and depart for England on Wednesday,  13 August. They line up in Pool C with matches against Spain in York on 24 August (local), Japan in Exeter on 31 August, and Ireland in Brighton on 7 September. 

    New Zealand squad 

    Forwards
    Loosehead prop
    *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) 
    Hooker
    *Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests) 
    *Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 Tests)
    Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 Tests) 
    Tighthead prop
    Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests) 
    *Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test) 
    Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests) 
    Second row 
    *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) 
    Back row 
    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) 

    Backs
    Scrum-half
    *Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 Tests)
    *Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 Tests)
    *Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens, Tasman, 2 Tests) 
    Fly-half 
    Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 43 Tests)
    Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 45 Tests)
    Centre
    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)
    Wing / full-back
    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

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  • Oscar Piastri sets the pace from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren team mate Lando Norris

    Oscar Piastri sets the pace from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren team mate Lando Norris

    Oscar Piastri claimed top spot in Free Practice 1 for the Belgian Grand Prix as he finished four tenths clear of Max Verstappen, with McLaren team mate Lando Norris a further tenth back in third.

    Fresh from his maiden Formula 1 podium at the previous round, Nico Hulkenberg led a gaggle of cars out of the pit lane as soon as the lights turned green with drivers and teams keen to make the most of the single one-hour practice session ahead of Sprint Qualifying this afternoon.

    Almost immediately Carlos Sainz suffered problems in his Williams, the Spaniard reporting “I cannot accelerate, it’s just limp home mode” as he crawled back round to the pits, while Lance Stroll also reported an issue with his Aston Martin after the installation lap and returned to the garage.

    Out on track, Verstappen set the initial benchmark after the first set of runs with a 1m 45.545s on the medium tyre, Red Bull having brought a substantial upgrade package to Belgium this weekend, which includes a new cooling system and front suspension.

    Drivers immediately began to push the limits, Alex Albon dipping the wheels of his Williams in the gravel at Malmedy and running wide at Les Combes, with Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari jumping the kerb at the top of Eau Rouge and also running deep at Les Combes.

    Drivers’ Championship leader Piastri became the first driver to dip below the 1m 45s barrier, posting a 1m 44.979s on the hard Pirelli compound, before Verstappen jumped back to the top approaching the 15-minute mark with a 1m 44.236s, still on the mediums.

    F1 rookies Kimi Antonelli and Franco Colapinto both experienced lock-ups at La Source in separate incidents, the Mercedes driver running so deep on entry as to clip the edge of the gravel trap as both rejoined the circuit, before Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto was the next driver to exceed track limits after running wide at the final chicane.

    Charles Leclerc moved to the top of the leaderboard with a 1m 44.148s on the hard tyre despite having the distraction of team mate Hamilton and Bortoleto running at a reduced pace at the top of Eau Rouge.

    Colapinto became the first driver to use a set of Pirelli’s soft tyre with 25 minutes remaining, moving up to eighth on a 1m 44.847s, before Stroll, who had changed seats earlier in the session, moved to the top on a 1m 43.112s approaching the 10-minute mark.

    A flurry of Qualifying simulations followed, with Piastri registering a 1m 42.123s before lowering that to a 1m 42.022s with his final run that would finish as the session’s fastest lap.

    Verstappen finished 0.404s further back, showing impressive speed in the opening sector before losing out in the middle segment of the lap.

    Norris claimed third having run wide at Stavelot on his first flying lap with the soft tyres, as Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth from Leclerc and team mate Antonelli.

    Seven-time World Champion Hamilton took seventh, just over a second behind Piastri, as the Aston Martin cars, which feature upgrades this weekend, of Stroll and Fernando Alonso finished ahead of Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, who completed the top 10.

    Sainz, who got back out on track in the second half of the session after a fuel issue was 11th from Bortoleto, Hulkenberg and the second Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson.

    Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, the second Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda, Colapinto (Alpine) and Oliver Bearman (Haas) completed the order, with drivers and teams set to return to the track for Sprint Qualifying at 1630 local time this afternoon.

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  • UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker returns against Reinier de Ridder after squeamish injury

    UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker returns against Reinier de Ridder after squeamish injury

    Whittaker is a former UFC middleweight champion who has won 17 of his 23 fights since joining the promotion in 2012.

    He is currently fifth in the UFC’s middleweight rankings, demonstrating sporting longevity at the top which is matched by few.

    Although Whittaker says regaining the title – which he lost to Israel Adesanya in 2019 and is now held by Du Plessis – remains a goal, it his not his biggest driver any more.

    “I’ve got nothing to prove, there’s just things that I’m working for. I’m leading by example for my kids and any other athlete that wants to look up to me,” says Whittaker.

    “I’ve been in the game so long, what drives me to be better and push as hard as I do, is the kids.”

    De Ridder is fighting in only his fourth UFC bout after joining the organisation last year.

    He is 34 like Whittaker, but has spent much of his career in fellow MMA promotion One Championship, where he is a former middleweight and light-heavyweight champion.

    “De Ridder is going to be looking to pressure me and take me down to the ground and make me uncomfortable,” said Whittaker.

    “I want to get my hands on him and hope for a quick one but I’ve been training for a 25-minute slugfest.”

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  • Black Ferns name 33-strong squad for Rugby World Cup in England » allblacks.com

    Black Ferns name 33-strong squad for Rugby World Cup in England » allblacks.com

    Black Ferns coaches Allan Bunting, Tony Christie, Steve Jackson, Dan Cron and Riki Flutey have selected 33 players to defend their title at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England next month.

    The squad was announced by former Black Fern Honey Hireme-Smiler tonight in front of invited guests and whānau at a special event held in Wellington.  

    Featured in the squad are 19 forwards and 14 backs, with the positional breakdown of seven props, three hookers, four locks, five loose forwards, three halfbacks, two first five-eighths, four midfielders and five outside backs. 

    Black Ferns legend Kelly Brazier is locked-in for her fourth Rugby World Cup, while Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka will attend their third. 

    Teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee is the youngest selected at 18-years-old, and she will make her first World Cup appearance alongside the newest Black Fern, Laura Bayfield, who debuted in the final home Test match v Australia. 

    World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year Jorja Miller and halfback Risaleaana Pouri-Lane earned their selections through their impressive transition to the fifteens game. 

    Sixteen players from the 2022 Rugby World Cup winning squad return, including co-captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu. 


    Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting congratulates the 33 players selected. 

    “On behalf of the coaching group, I’d like to congratulate all our players named tonight in front of their whānau. We are really excited about this group and truly believe they can take us to the next level,” Bunting said. 

    “We’ve got vast experience across our squad, with more than half of our players having competed at pinnacle events.   

    “While it’s an exciting time for those selected, I’d like to acknowledge the players who have missed out. Their contribution to the black jersey and to our team this year has been immense, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them. 

    “The level of depth and internal competition we have seen from our wider squad made the selection process very difficult, however this speaks to the growth and exciting future of women’s rugby in Aotearoa.”

    All four Sky Super Rugby Aupiki clubs are well represented in the squad along with strong provincial representation from Northland to Canterbury.  

    The Black Ferns have assembled in Wellington for their final training camp and depart for England on Wednesday, August 13. They will then kick-off their Pool C matches against Spain (August 25), Japan (September 1) and Ireland (September 8).  


    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, Tasman, 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


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