New Zealand and Canada had been every unbeaten within the Pacific 4 Sequence. The Black Ferns took the title on factors distinction.
This 2025 kind XV acknowledges excellent performers within the sequence and options some positional switches to attain a greater collective stability.
15. Braxton Sorenson-McGee (Black Ferns)
A dream begin for the 18-year-old scoring two tries on debut and topping the metres run rely in a 38-12 win towards Australia in Newcastle. She scored the primary strive within the 27-27 draw against Canada and reduce the USA open a number of instances. Appears to be like set for an extended profession.
14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Black Ferns)
A staggering seven tries in the Black Ferns 79-14 slaughter of the USA noticed Woodman-Wickliffe cross Vanessa Coutts because the Black Ferns all-time main strive scorer with 45 in 26 Checks. Coutts had 43 in 16.
Woodman-Wickliffe retired final yr, citing a want to “lounge on the sofa,” “eat McDonald’s,” and “come out infants.”
Nonetheless, she was a powerhouse within the Blues Super Rugby Aupiki triumph this yr and stays a commanding presence within the worldwide area. Carry on the World Cup.
13. Sylvia Brunt (Black Ferns)
Scored a strive within the 38-12 win towards Australia however saved her greatest for Canada, scoring in the 83rd-minute after 21 phases that secured the Black Ferns a draw, aiding 11 carries for 67 metres gained and 5 defenders overwhelmed.
She made 13 tackles and created a strive for Ayesha Leti-l’iga with a deft grubber. Brunt performed second-five eights (inside centre) on this sequence however is equally snug at outdoors centre.
12. Alex Tessier (Canada)
Canada’s captain performed fly-half within the dogged 26-14 win towards the USA. She switched again to her customary place of centre for the remaining two matches, scoring a strive within the 45-7 thumping of Australia.
A shrewd, powerful chief with a saber-like working model and slick distribution. Kicked 17 instances, which is a mirrored image of Canada’s means to play territory.
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Black Ferns)
Two tries within the Australia and Canada video games, the place she was like attempting to sort out a rat in a drain pipe. Seeks work with 27 carries throughout the sequence, beating 16 defenders. The Oriental Rongotai pocket rocket has scored 19 tries in 26 Checks.
10. Ruahei Demant (Black Ferns)
Wasn’t all the time spotless however the Black Ferns look much more assertive and assured with Demant working the cutter. A conversion she kicked, falling over laughing towards the USA, suggests the enjoyment is returning after a tough 2024. Has an excellent passing recreation. Scored 26 factors. Her leadership and attitude is a massive part of her skill set.
9. Olivia Apps (Canada)
Regardless of not starting any matches until the final Test of the sequence towards the Wallaroos, the scrum-half had an enormous affect in serving to Canada obtain a draw towards the Black Ferns with a try to involvement within the build-up to 2 others. Robust, artful, skilful.
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Black Ferns)
The 2024 Black Ferns Participant of the Yr has picked up the place she left off with some big shows towards Australia, 16 tackles and carries, and the USA, 25 carries and 16 tackles.
Surprisingly, she wasn’t chosen to begin towards Canada. Her affect from the bench was explosive. Topped the competitors sort out rely with 47.
7. Karen Paquin (Canada)
In her first worldwide sequence since 2022, she ranked fourth within the sort out rely with 44 in three matches. Was busy with ten carries towards the Black Ferns and scored a strive within the 45-7 slaying of the Wallaroos. A former chemical engineer, she left her job in 2012 to check out for the nationwide sevens workforce.
6. Ashley Marsters (Australia)
Has performed throughout the forwards in her record-breaking profession of 38 Wallaroos caps. Made a huge impact from the bench against the Black Ferns with a try to some jolting tackles that sparked a short Wallaroos comeback.
In opposition to the USA, she scored two tries and had a dozen tackles and carries in a 27-19 Wallaroos win. Tried arduous however was extra subdued towards Canada, whose again rowers Abiola Forteza and Gabrielle Senft had been excellent.
5. Laetitia Royer (Canada)
Was named in World Rugby’s Dream Group in 2024. Scored a strive towards the USA and toiled gamely towards the Black Ferns. Her greatest efficiency was shifting to the again row towards Australia, the place she had 11 tackles, two linebreaks, and 7 lineout catches within the 45-7 crushing. Read her player column forward of Canada’s Take a look at towards Australia.
4. Nation O’Connell (Canada)
Herculean show towards the Black Ferns, topping the sort out rely with 21. Returned to the sector after a yellow card towards the USA and scored the strive that gave Canada a lead they by no means surrendered. Canada had the perfect lineout drive within the competitors. Australia solely received 56% of their lineout ball on Friday evening.
3. DaLeaka Menin (Canada)
Was immense within the Black Ferns draw, scoring Canada’s first try to making 14 tackles and 13 carries. Celebrated her sixtieth Take a look at towards Australia with an imperious show at scrum and lineouts. In a single maul, Canada pushed the Wallaroos again 30 metres.
2. Georgia Ponsonby (Black Ferns)
The Black Ferns lineout misfired towards the Wallaroos, exhibiting marked enchancment because the sequence went on. Ponsonby has racked up 30 Checks and isn’t severely challenged for her beginning berth.
Across the area, she’s extremely efficient. Had 12 tackles and 5 carries towards Australia, 10 tackles and 7 carries towards Canada. No different facet began the identical hooker in all three fixtures of the sequence.
1. Hope Rogers (USA)
Along with her 52nd worldwide choice towards Canada, Rogers broke the Women’s Eagles all-time career cap record held by Jamie Burke for over a decade. The 32-year-old just lately proudly acknowledged her ambition to be the best loosehead in the world.
Her subsequent Take a look at towards Australia was additionally a milestone, scoring three tries as she practically steered her workforce to victory. She scored one other strive towards the Black Ferns and was the best ball provider within the rout the Eagles suffered.
