Black Ferns July Series squad confirmed
30 June 2025Black Ferns selectors have named a 33-strong squad for the upcoming July matches against Black Ferns XV (trial) and Australia (Test), the last games on home soil for 2025.
There are four changes from the Pacific Four Series (PAC4) squad, with potential Test debuts for Matatū’s Laura Bayfield and Chiefs Manawa’s Mia Anderson, while Renee Holmes and Kelly Brazier have been recalled to the squad.
Bayfield, a dynamic lock for Matatū in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki 2025, made an immediate impact in her debut season. Also a key figure in Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup squad, Bayfield earned selection in the inaugural Black Ferns XV in 2023.
Anderson made her Chiefs Manawa debut in 2022 but was unavailable for selection in 2023 due to maternity leave. Later that year, she returned to the field with Waikato in the Farah Palmer Cup and was acknowledged for her talent with selection to the Black Ferns XV.
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Mererangi Paul are unavailable due to injury. Alana Bremner steps into the co-captaincy role alongside Ruahei Demant.
Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting said selections were based on consistency.
“At this stage of our World Cup journey, internal competition has been intense and selections are getting tougher as our wider squad have put in the work. Renee has come back and shown real growth, Kelly gives us experience and depth at 10 adding to our kicking game, while Mia and Laura have consistently been impressive,” Bunting said.
All members of the Black Ferns squad will play in the trial match against Black Ferns XV on July 5, 1.05pm kick-off at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei. The following week, the Black Ferns play Australia in the O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa Test match in Wellington on July 12, 4.05pm kick-off.
First five-eighth Hannah King, halfback Iritana Hohaia and Bayfield will play for the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei before returning to the Black Ferns squad the following week.
“For the trial match, it’s a priority to provide as many opportunities for our players to get game time leading up to World Cup selections. Moving three of our players to the Black Ferns XV side will ensure they’re given quality minutes against quality opposition,” Bunting said.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 with match highlights available on NZR+.
The Black Ferns squad for the July Series is (Age, Super Rugby Club, Provincial Union, Tests):
Loosehead props
Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 12 Tests)
Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 Tests)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 6 Tests)
Hookers
Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests)
Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests)
Vici-Rose Green (23, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test)
Tighthead Props
Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 20 Tests)
Amy Rule (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test)
Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 32 Test caps)
Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 28 Tests)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (22, Blues, Auckland, 7 Test caps)
Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 Tests)
Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, uncapped)
Loose Forwards
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues, Auckland, 28 Tests)
Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 13 Tests)
Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, 1 Test)
Mia Anderson (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped)
Halfbacks
Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 Tests)
Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 16 Tests)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (24, Black Ferns Sevens, 1 Test)
First fives
Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 44 Tests)
Hannah King (21, Matatū, Canterbury, 10 Tests)
Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens, 42 Tests)
Midfield
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 24 Tests)
Amy du Plessis (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 Tests)
Stacey Waaka (29, Black Ferns Sevens, 26 Tests)
Theresa Setefano (30, Black Ferns Sevens, 19 Tests)
Outside backs
Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 15 Tests)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 Tests)
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (33, Blues, 26 Tests)
Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 Tests)
Unavailable due to injury:
Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu, Mererangi Paul, Ariana Bayler, Alena Saili
Player bios:
Laura Bayfield
Date of birth: March 5, 1999
Position: Lock
Province: Canterbury
Sky Super Rugby Aupiki club: Matatū
Black Ferns number: Uncapped
Laura Bayfield is a rising star in New Zealand Rugby renowned for her athleticism and discipline on the field. A dynamic lock for Matatū in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki 2025, she made an immediate impact in her debut season, starting all six games and scoring a try in a memorable win over Chiefs Manawa.
Bayfield’s rugby journey began in 2020 and she became a key figure in Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup squad over four years. Her outstanding performances earned her selection to the inaugural Black Ferns XV in 2023 and since then has continued to impress.
Off the field, Bayfield serves as a captain in the New Zealand Army’s 3rd Field and Emergency Response Squadron.
Mia Anderson
Date of birth: March 4, 2002
Position: Loose Forward
Province: Waikato
Sky Super Rugby Aupiki club: Chiefs Manawa
Black Ferns number: Uncapped
Originally from Kerikeri, Mia Anderson made her FPC debut for Northland at just 17 years old. She later made the shift south to study Business and Sports Science at the University of Waikato.
She made her Sky Super Rugby Aupiki debut for Chiefs Manawa in 2022 but was unavailable for selection in 2023 due to maternity leave. Returning to the field for the 2023 Farah Palmer Cup season, Anderson was a notable member of the Waikato FPC team. She was acknowledged for her talent with selection in the Black Ferns XV squad at the conclusion of 2023.
Anderson was a prominent performer for Chiefs Manawa during their 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki campaign, with Black Ferns selectors keeping a watchful eye on the promising loose forward.
