Black Ferns get Miller boost, France change three
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Black Ferns selectors have named their match-day 23 for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Bronze final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, September 27.
Loose forward Jorja Miller and winger Braxton Sorensen-McGee have been named to start following their recent award nominations as World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year and Women’s 15s Player of the Year. Lock Laura Bayfield also returns and earns a starting spot, while Katelyn Vahaakolo has been named in the 23, and will be celebrating her 20th Test milestone.
In the starting XV, the front row consists of props Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale and hooker Georgia Ponsonby, while Bayfield starts at lock alongside Maiakawanakaulani Roos. The loose forward trio will see Liana Mikaele-Tu’u retain her spot in flanker joined by Miller and Kaipo Olsen-Baker in the no.8 jersey.
The backline combinations remain unchanged with Risaleaana Pouri-Lane and captain Ruahei Demant starting in the halves. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Stacey Waaka combine in the midfield with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Sorensen-McGee playing on the wings. Renee Holmes rounds out the starting XV at fullback.
Vici-Rose Green and Awhina Tangen-Wainohu re-join the 23 alongside Amy Rule, Alana Bremner, Layla Sae, Maia Joseph, Theresa Setefano and Vahaakolo.
Director of Performance Allan Bunting said the team are focused on the game ahead.
“We’ve been gifted another opportunity to turn things around for our nation and I know the team will do everything they can to finish this campaign strong. The team have connected well this week, and we are determined to put out a performance that we’re proud of,” Bunting said.
“This will be last showing for our 2025 Black Ferns so on behalf of the entire group I’d like to thank all our supporters and new fans for the aroha you’ve shown us here in England and back home. We really appreciate all the messages of support for our wāhine.”
Meanwhile
France have made three changes to the starting XV that will take on the Black Ferns in the in the Bronze final of Rugby World Cup 2025 at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.
Taina Maka comes in at second row, replacing Hina Ikahehegi who is on the replacements bench.
Joanna Grisez is on the right wing. Kelly Arbey moves to the bench.
Emilie Boulard is at fullback in place of Morgane Bourgeois, who drops out of the 23.
Prop Manon Bigot and back row Marie Morland replace Elisa Riffonneau and Seraphine Okemba on the bench respectively.
New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 9 Risi Pouri-Lane, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Laura Bayfield, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Tanya Kalounivale, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Vici-Rose Green, 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18 Amy Rule, 19 Alana Bremmer, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Maia Joseph, 22 Theresa Setefano, 23 Katelyn Vahaakolo.
France: 15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Marine Menager (captain), 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 8 Teani Feleu, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Charlotte Escudero, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 4 Taina Maka, 3 Rose Bernadou, 2 Agathe Gerin, 1 Yllana Brosseau
Replacements: 16 Manon Bigot, 17 Annaëlle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Hina Ikahehegi, 20 Marie Morland, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Kelly Arbey.
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 12.30 (11.30 GMT; 13.30 French time, 23.10 NZT)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Assistant Referees: Kat Roche (USAR) & Sara Cox (RFU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
