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Sport Nation
Woodman-Wikliffe and Vahaakolo win Black Ferns wing race
Sport Nation • July 10th, 2025 12:00 pm
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand celebrates a try with Katelyn Vahaakolo | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
The Black Ferns have announced their squad to play the O’Reilly Cup against the Wallaroos at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
Allan Bunting had options for wingers including Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Ruby Tui, however last weekend's trial match decided that Woodman-Wickliffe will start at right wing and Vaha’akolo on the left.
Ruby Tui will celebrate her 20th Test off the bench after being called in as injury cover earlier this week and Ayesha Leti-I’iga will miss out due to a ham-string injury.
Kelly Brazier will bring 15 years of experience to the team from both sevens and fifteens, for her first Test since 2021.
Matatu's Laura Bayfield who played in the Black Ferns XV last weekend is the team's only debutant.
“Laura was a standout throughout Sky Super Rugby Aupiki this year and has put in the work. She topped all stats for the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei and deserves her opportunity to debut this weekend," Bunting said.
"It’s going to be a proud moment for Laura and her whānau. It has also been great having Kelly in the July Series squad, her experience has really added to our depth at 10.”
Bunting believes both Brazier and Bayfield have earned their place in the team due to last weekend's hard work.
Also among the squad is World Rugby's Women's Sevens Player of the Year, Jorja Miller and her sevens sister Stacey Waaka.
Saturday’s match will be the last chance for Kiwi fans to watch the reigning world champions compete on home soil before they head to the Women's Rugby World Cup in September.
Black Ferns team to play the Wallaroos in the O’Reilly Cup
15. Renee Holmes, 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 13. Stacey Waaka, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo, 10. Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Jorja Miller, 6. Alana Bremner (co-captain), 5. Chelsea Bremner, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3. Tanya Kalounivale, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 1. Chryss Viliko.
Bench: 16. Vici-Rose Green, 17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18. Amy Rule, 19. Laura Bayfield*, 20. Layla Sae, 21. Iritana Hohaia, 22. Kelly Brazier, 23. Ruby Tui.
* debutant
Could Ruby Tui be the next Black Ferns star to jump to NRLW? | Sport Nation Mornings
