Black Ferns Sevens relish opportunity to perform for home crowd

As the Black Ferns Sevens prepare for the home HSBC World Series debut, co-Coaches Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney have confirmed the line up for this weekend’s event.

The Black Ferns Sevens team is;
1. Ruby Tui
2. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
3. Stacey Fluhler (nee Waaka)
4. Niall Williams
5. Sarah Hirini - Captain
6. Michaela Blyde
7. Tyla Nathan-Wong
8. Kelly Brazier
9. Gayle Broughton
10. Theresa Fitzpatrick
11. Mahina Paul
12. Alena Saili
Tenika Willison is the 13th player

A day out from their inaugural World Series appearance in New Zealand, the Black Ferns Sevens are relishing the opportunity.

“We’ve talked a lot about it this week, and while our preparation is no different, we know when we take the field it will be. Playing in front of family and friends is incredibly special, we’ve seen fierce competition internally in selecting the team and the players can’t wait to get out there,” said co-coach Cory Sweeney.

The Black Ferns Sevens closed out 2019 with back-to-back wins in Dubai and Cape Town and will aim to bring that form into Hamilton.

“The team showed a lot of mental strength to get those two tournament wins and it was massively pleasing to close out the year like that. It definitely sets us up well to start strongly in 2020.”

Pool play sees matches against China, England and Fiji, the latter two the Black Ferns Sevens had tight encounters against in Cape Town.

“We have noticed a real step up in competition as we come into an Olympic year. There are a number of teams with the ability to win so we know we have to be on our game," said Sweeney.

Editorial notes

• This is the first Women’s Sevens Series event in New Zealand.
• The Black Ferns Sevens sit first on the World Series standings after three events.
• The Black Ferns Sevens have scored the most points (489), tries (79) and made the most tackles (298) in the Series to date.
• Stacey Fluhler (nee Waaka) and Kelly Brazier have been named in two of the three Dream Teams this season, Ruby Tui and Niall Williams have featured in one Dream Team each.
• Stacey Fluhler is the second highest try scorer, with 16, Ruby Tui is the Series’ leading tackler with 52.
• The Black Ferns Sevens are finalists for Team of the Year at the Halberg Awards next month.

HSBC New Zealand Sevens matches

Saturday 25 January
11.20am v China
4.58pm v England

Sunday 26 January
10.35am v Fiji

Broadcast

Watch the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on Sky Sports 1

Useful links

HSBC Sevens World Series website
Sevens World Series standings
Sevens World Series stats

Black Ferns Sevens 2019/2020 schedule

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 5-6 October, Glendale - THIRD PLACE
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 5-7 December, Dubai - WINNERS
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 13-15 December, Cape Town - WINNERS
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 25-26 January, Hamilton
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 1-2 February, Sydney
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 3-5 April, Hong Kong
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 2-3 May, Langford
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 30-31 May, Paris
2020 Tokyo Olympics, 30 July – 1 August, Tokyo