New zealand women's rugby
New Zealand women's rugby union team, also known as the Black Ferns, is the national women's rugby union team of New Zealand. The team has a rich history and has been one of the most successful teams in the sport, winning numerous international titles and accolades.
Here are some key facts about the New Zealand women's rugby team:
History: The Black Ferns were established in 1989 and have been competing internationally since 1990.
Success: The team has won numerous titles, including:
- Rugby World Cup: 4 titles (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010)
- The Rugby Championship: 5 titles (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012)
- Pacific Nations Cup: 6 titles (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013)
- Commonwealth Games: 2 titles (1998, 2002)
Current team: The current Black Ferns team is led by captain Ruahei Demant and coach Glenn Moore. The team has a strong squad with many experienced players, including:
- Fiao'o Fa'amausili (prop)
- Aleisha-Pele Pelesasa (prop)
- Toka Natua (prop)
- Luka Connor (hooker)
- Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (hooker)
- Huriana Manuel (scrum-half)
- Kendra Cocksedge (scrum-half)
- Ruahei Demant (fly-half)
- Chelsea Alley (centre)
- Stacey Ili (centre)
- Selica Winiata (wing)
- Portia Woodman (wing)
- Ruby Tui (full-back)
Notable players: Some notable players who have represented the Black Ferns include:
- Farah Palmer (prop) - considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport
- Justine Lavea (prop) - a two-time World Cup winner and former captain
- Anna Richards (scrum-half) - a two-time World Cup winner and former captain
- Huriana Manuel (scrum-half) - a two-time World Cup winner and former captain
- Portia Woodman (wing) - a two-time World Cup winner and former captain
Rugby World Cup: The Black Ferns have won four Rugby World Cup titles, with their most recent victory coming in 2017. They have also finished as runners-up twice and have never failed to reach the semifinals.
The Rugby Championship: The Black Ferns have won five titles in The Rugby Championship, which is the premier international women's rugby competition in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pacific Nations Cup: The Black Ferns have won six titles in the Pacific Nations Cup, which is an annual tournament featuring teams from the Pacific Islands.
Overall, the New Zealand women's rugby team is one of the most successful and dominant teams in the sport, with a rich history and a strong squad of players.