Kennedy Tukuafu in action against the Wallaroos. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
A few sevens stars are set to be unleashed for the Black Ferns this weekend and co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu can't wait to see what they can do.
Sevens players Jorja Miller, Risi Pouri-Lane, Stacey Waaka have yet to play for the Black Ferns XVs during the Pacific Four series, with the trio only joining the side ahead of last week's 27-27 draw with Canada in Christchurch.
Jorja Miller and Risi Pouri-Lane playing for the Black Ferns Sevens at the Paris Olympics. Photo: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP
Assistant coach Steve Jackson said last week the sevens women would get a run at some point during the Pacific Four, and with New Zealand's last game of the series this weekend against the US in Albany, it's now or never.
Loose forward Tukuafu is expecting big things from Miller and co.
"They're just the ultimate professionals. They're full-time. They're fit. They're fast. They're strong. They're just a delight to be around. They make everybody better because we all have to work harder.
"Off the field, they're just a laugh. They bring that human element. It's really nice to be able to take advice from them, but also them coming to us XVs players, and we're giving them as much advice as we can. It's a really nice environment to be able to build off each other."
Kennedy Tukuafu of the Black Ferns after the 27-27 draw with Canada in Christchurch. 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Last week, Jackson said the sevens players would be ready to play "in terms of their physicality and their strength and conditioning", but said they had a lot to learn in terms of adapting to the XVs game and the Black Ferns' style of play.
Tukuafu believes the sevens players have adjusted quickly, and says the size of the occasion - being a must-win game for the Black Ferns as they seek to win back the Pacific Four title from Canada - won't affect them.
The Black Ferns Sevens are back-to-back Olympic champions and have played on some of the biggest stages in sport. Tukuafu believes that experience will be invaluable for the Black Ferns XVs.
"Yeah, absolutely. When we have games they give us that advice - stuff like sleeping in. They just know how to prepare for big moments like that, so it's nice to have them in our back pocket."
Saturday's test at North Harbour Stadium is the Black Ferns' second-to-last before the World Cup, which kicks off in England in August.
Tukuafu said the world champion New Zealanders are working hard in several areas including their set piece and defence.
"There's heaps. We've always got to be ready to go to battle at training. We're working hard on our scrums and lineouts. On defence, we've got a really good system and it's just about making sure we stay disciplined in those moments.
"Other things that we're focusing on is our kicking game and we've come leaps and bounds from last season."
Claire Gallagher of Canada is tackled by Ayesha Leti-I'iga of the Black Ferns. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand and Canada are tied at the top of the Pacific Four standings with one round remaining. The Black Ferns host the US on Saturday, with Canada taking on the Wallaroos in Brisbane on Friday night. That gives the Black Ferns the luxury of knowing what they need to do to take back the Pacific Four title.
However, Canada are expected to win against Australia and the Black Ferns will want to beat the US by as many points as they can to give themselves the best possible chance of taking the Pacific Four title.
The United States fell to a 27-19 loss to Australia last weekend, but Tukuafu said there's no room for complacency in the Black Ferns squad.
"We obviously watched the game against Australia, which was a physical one. Test match rugby is always different. Teams always turn up to try and out muscle you and out run you.
"We just want to make sure that we're really tight as a pack and we keep that consistent line speed on defence and just tidy up those ball handling areas. I have confidence in us and when we do those things well we come away on the right side."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
