Ruby Tui has been dropped for the Pacific Four series. Photo: Alex Leech / www.photosport.nz
Rugby superstar Ruby Tui has been left out of the Black Ferns squad for the next month's Pacific Four series.
Tui, Renee Holmes and Chelsea Bremner are the headline players who have missed selection in the 33-player squad announced at a training camp in Upper Hutt today.
All played prominent roles in the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup triumph in 2022.
Tui, 33, has also been a star player in the Black Ferns Sevens side, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The squad features three players set to make their international debuts - prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, hooker Vici-Rose Green, and fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Sevens stars Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane have been included, while Kelly Brazier will travel with the squad to Newcastle as travelling reserve.
Black Ferns director of rugby Alan Bunting said there were difficult decisions for the selectors.
"It's a tight race leading up to our World Cup campaign and we know we've had to make tough calls at this point. I've been very impressed by the response and attitude from our players to still serve the team. Our whole group is important on this journey, there is still a bit more water to go under the bridge before we name our World Cup squad," he said.
The squad
Loosehead props
Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 10 Test caps)
Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 8 Test caps)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 4 Test caps)
Hookers
Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 27 Test caps)
Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 5 Test caps)
Vici-Rose Green (23, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped)
Tighthead Props
Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 18 Test caps)
Amy Rule (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 27 Test caps)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped)
Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Test caps)
Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 25 Test caps)
Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu (22, Blues, Auckland, 5 Test caps)
Dhys Faleafaga (24, Black Ferns Sevens, 2 Test caps)
Loose Forwards
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (23, Blues, Auckland, 26 Test caps)
Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 11 Test caps)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22, Matatū, Manawatū, 9 Test caps)
Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Test caps)
Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
Halfbacks
Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 8 Test caps)
Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 14 Test caps)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (24, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
First fives
Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 41 Test caps)
Hannah King (21, Matatū, Canterbury, 7 Test caps)
Midfield
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 21 Test caps)
Theresa Setefano (30, Black Ferns Sevens, 18 Test caps)
Amy du Plessis (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 19 Test caps)
Stacey Waaka (29, Black Ferns Sevens, 25 Test caps)
Outside backs
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (33, Blues, 24 Test caps)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 14 Test caps)
Ayesha Leti-I'iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 24 Test caps)
Mererangi Paul (26, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 12 Test caps)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, uncapped)
*Travelling reserve to Newcastle
Kelly Brazier (35, Black Ferns Sevens, Chiefs Manawa, 42 Test caps)
Black Ferns matches at the Pacific Four tournament:
Saturday, May 10, 5.00pm - v Australia
Saturday, May 17, 3.35pm - v Canada
Saturday, May 24, 3.35pm - v USA.
