Bit of a shocker in the rugby world - Ruby Tui hasn’t made the cut for the Black Ferns’ first squad of the season.
The team was announced this morning ahead of the Pacific Four series this month, and the Tui was noticeably absent.
She’s not the only big name missing either - Chelsea Bremner and Renee Holmes, both standouts in the Ferns, were also left out.
Black Ferns director of rugby Alan Bunting said selection was a difficult decision.
“It’s a pretty tight race in our outside [backs]. She hasn’t really done anything wrong, it’s a pretty tough one,” Bunting said at a press conference.
She is still here, giving what she can to the team with her leadership.
He’s known Tui for years - back from their Black Ferns Sevens days - and said this was the first time he’d had to deliver news like this to her. “The person Ruby is, she totally understood…”
Co-captain Ruahei Demant reckons that with the final World Cup squad yet to be named in July, there’s still time for the trio - Ruby, Chelsea and Renee.
“If we learned anything from the last World Cup, anything can happen.”
Meanwhile, there’s some fresh talent added to the squad.
Prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, hooker Vici-Rose Green, and 18-year-old fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee are all debuting for the Ferns.
A solid crew of Sevens stars are also in the squad, including Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Dhys Faleafaga and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.
And while Kelly Brazier wasn’t named in the 33, she’s heading to Newcastle as a travelling reserve.
It just goes to show the experience of our wāhine in rugby and the skills being brought to the table.
