Revealed: The Black Ferns Sevens stars committing to the Rugby World Cup

Seven Black Ferns Sevens stars have put their names forward for consideration for Black Ferns selection for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Five of the players are capped Black Ferns already, with two youngsters looking for their first taste of international XV rugby.

Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Alena Saili, Dhys Faleafaga and Kelsey Teneti are the capped Black Ferns and are joined by Risi Pouri-Lane and Jorja Miller.

Compromises have been made for the transitions to be effective, including five players missing the final SVNS event of the circuit, while Waaka and Miller will join during the Pacific Four Series, signalling their inclusion in the LA SVNS.

Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting and Black Ferns Sevens Head Coach Cory Sweeney worked in partnership to make the transition work for both outfits.

“Having the ability to add players into the mix that have a proven ability of winning pinnacle events under pressure is invaluable,” Bunting said.

“It’s great to have our best female athletes driving internal competition and striving for selection for the World Cup.”

Sweeney echoed that sentiment, going on to highlight the importance of these transitions as opportunities for growth for all players involved.

“We want to have the best XVs and Sevens programmes in the world and we can’t do that independently,” said Sweeney.

“We’ve seen real success in the past two World Cup cycles with our players transitioning across to the Black Ferns environment. For the players remaining it will be an exciting opportunity for them to get more game time in Los Angeles and grow on the world stage.”

Already in 2024/25, we have seen Katelyn Vahaakolo make her SVNS debut on a short-term deal while players like Kelly Brazier and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe have made the move back into the XV game ahead of Super Rugby Aupiki.

New Zealand profited handsomely from the transition of Black Ferns Sevens stars for the last Rugby World Cup, with players like Sarah Hirini, Theresa Setefano (née Fitzpatrick), Stacey Waaka (née Fluhler), and Woodman-Wickliffe starring in the tournament hosts’ remarkable win.

This announcement continues the strong momentum that was already amplified by the Kiwis’ neighbours and long-time rivals Australia, who have been injected with superstar SVNS talent of their own in the form of Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser, Khali Henwood, Sariah Paki, Demi Hayes, Tia Hinds, and Bienne Terita and the Levi sisters.

Those nine talents, in addition to New Zealand’s seven, will look to earn selection for the PAC4 Series in May, adding plenty of intrigue to the competition that was most recently won by emerging powerhouse, Canada.