Ruby Tui Omitted as Black Ferns Announce Squad for 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

Fan favourite Ruby Tui has missed out on selection for the Black Ferns squad named for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. The 33-player squad was unveiled at a special event in Wellington on Friday evening.

Tui, a key figure in New Zealand’s victorious 2022 campaign, was spotted among family and friends at the announcement ceremony — a strong indication prior to the reveal that she had not made the cut, which was later confirmed.

Despite being left out of the Pacific Four Series squad earlier this year, Tui was recalled for a Laurie O’Reilly Cup Test against the Wallaroos earlier this month, where she scored a try off the bench. However, head coach Allan Bunting has opted to head in a different direction for the Black Ferns' title defence.

Among the outside backs selected is Renee Holmes, with rising stars Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18) and Katelyn Vahaakolo named as two of several World Cup debutants.

Fresh Faces and Returning Experience
The final 33-player group includes a strong mix of youth and experience, with 11 players set to make their Rugby World Cup debuts. In the forwards, new faces include Kate Henwood, Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea, Vic-Rose Green, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Laura Bayfield, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, and Layla Sae.

All three halfbacks — Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Iritana Hohaia, and Maia Joseph — are preparing for their first World Cup appearances. Aside from Vahaakolo and Sorensen-McGee, the rest of the backline features experienced internationals.

A total of 16 players return from the Black Ferns’ triumphant 2022 squad, including co-captains Kennedy Tukuafu and Ruahei Demant, as well as veteran playmaker Kelly Brazier, who will appear at her fourth Rugby World Cup.

Sevens stars Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe are also heading to their third World Cup, adding a wealth of big-match experience to the squad.

The selection includes 19 forwards and 14 backs, with a robust front row featuring seven props. Notably, Krystal Murray has been named as a non-travelling reserve.

Bunting: “We Truly Believe This Group Can Take Us to the Next Level”
Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting expressed his pride in the selected squad and praised the depth of talent available during the selection process.

“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.”

Tournament Outlook
The Black Ferns will begin their World Cup campaign in Pool C, opening against Spain on 25 August, followed by matches against Japan on 1 September and Ireland on 8 September.

Black Ferns Squad – 2025 Rugby World Cup
Loosehead Props
• Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa/Bay of Plenty – 10 caps)

• Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues/Waikato – 7 caps)

• Chryss Viliko (24, Blues/Auckland – 13 caps)

Hookers
• Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues/Canterbury – 7 caps)

• Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa/Waikato – 2 caps)

• Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū/Canterbury – 31 caps)

Tighthead Props
• Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa/Waikato – 22 caps)

• Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa/Waikato – 1 cap)

• Amy Rule (25, Matatū/Canterbury – 30 caps)

Locks
• Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū/Canterbury – 1 cap)

• Alana Bremner (28, Matatū/Canterbury – 29 caps)

• Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū/Canterbury – 22 caps)

• Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues/Auckland – 33 caps)

Loose Forwards
• Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues/Auckland – 29 caps)

• Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens/Canterbury – 2 caps)

• Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Matatū/Manawatū – 12 caps)

• Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua/Manawatū – 14 caps)

• Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa/Waikato – 30 caps)

Halfbacks
• Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua/Taranaki – 17 caps)

• Maia Joseph (23, Matatū/Otago – 11 caps)

• Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens/Tasman – 2 caps)

First Five-Eighths
• Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa/Bay of Plenty – 43 caps)

• Ruahei Demant (30, Blues/Auckland – 45 caps)

Midfielders
• Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues/Auckland – 25 caps)

• Amy du Plessis (26, Matatū/Canterbury – 21 caps)

• Theresa Setefano (30, Blues/Auckland – 19 caps)

• Stacey Waaka (29, Chiefs Manawa/Waikato – 27 caps)

Outside Backs
• Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa/Waikato – 23 caps)

• Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26, Hurricanes Poua/Wellington – 26 caps)

• Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues/Auckland – 3 caps)

• Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues/Auckland – 17 caps)

• Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (34, Blues/Northland – 27 caps)

Non-Travelling Reserve
• Krystal Murray (32, Chiefs Manawa/Northland – 14 caps)