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Auckland City FC have opened the Northern League season with two victories in the space of four days. The Navy Blues defeated Tauranga City 2-1 on Saturday despite being reduced to nine men, before beating West Coast Rangers by the same scoreline on Tuesday night, claiming their familiar spot at the top of the league. LATEST HEADLINES: Bruce, Le'afa guide Saints home in Nelson Warriors assistant Agar issued breach notice Jake Meenhorst takes Charles Tour opener Aumua re-signs with Hurricanes, NZ Rugby Ruthe the youngest sub-four-minute runner Both match-winners came late for the three-time defending Northern League champions and last year’s New Zealand Football (NZF) National League winners. Former All White Myer Bevan scored in the eighth minute of stoppage-time against Tauranga City at Kiwitea Street, after Adam Mitchell and Tong Zhou earned straight red cards in the second half. Liam Molloy put the visitors up in the second minute, with Mario Ilich netting the equaliser in the 59th minute. Futsal Whites captain Dylan Manickum banged in the winner in the 79th minute against Rangers at the Croatian Cultural Club in Te Atatu, after Ignacio Machuca Maturena and debutant Jeremy Foo scored late-first half goals. Myer Bevan scored the match-winner in Auckland City's Northern League opener. PHOTO: AUCKLAND CITY With a schedule congested by the Oceania Champions League next month and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in June, ACFC were forced to play two matches before the official Round 1 this weekend. Paul Posa's side are back in action on Sunday, away to Manurewa AFC at War Memorial Park (kick-off 3pm). Auckland FC Reserves make their domestic football debut, away to Fencibles United at Riverhills Park on Saturday (kick-off 7pm). The eight-team Northern Region Football League's (NRFL) Women's Premier competition also gets underway this weekend, with two-time defending champions Auckland United hosting new club, Tauranga Moana, on Saturday (kick-off 1.45pm). The 10-team Central and Southern Leagues, which complete the NZF National League's regional phase, kick-off the following weekend.

The new-look Wellington Saints are on the board in the 2025 National Basketball League (NBL) season. All five Mills Albert Saints starters scored in double-digits as the 12-time champions held on for a 94-86 road victory over the NBS Nelson Giants at the Trafalgar Centre in Thursday night Sal's NBL action. LATEST HEADLINES: Warriors assistant Agar issued breach notice Jake Meenhorst takes Charles Tour opener Aumua re-signs with Hurricanes, NZ Rugby International mountain biking at Coronet Peak Whai pull away from Nuggets for NBL victory Ruthe the youngest sub-four-minute runner Australian guard Shaun Bruce starred in his first appearance for the Saints this year and first NBL game since 2018, scoring 23 points (7/13 FG, 3/6 3pt, 6/6 FT) to go with four rebounds and five assists. Tall Blacks guard Izayah Le'afa put up 22 points (6/15 FG, 3/10 3pt, 7/9 FT), seven assists and two steals, while national teammate Hyrum Harris added 17 points (7/13 FG, 2/5 3pt) and eight boards. American centre Nick Muszynski chimed in with 17 points (7/13 FG), seven rebounds and two blocks, with Australian forward Nick Marshall accounting for 12 points (3/8 FG, 5/6 FT) and five boards. American centre Nick Muszynski had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Wellington Saints. PHOTO: SAINTS For the Giants, American forward Brice Johnson finished with a game-high 25 points (10/22 FG, 4/7 3pt) and 11 rebounds, supported by 19 points (7/8 FG, 4/5 3pt) and five boards from Kiwi forward Liam Judd. After taking the lead for good midway through the second period, the Saints were able to keep Nelson at arms-length. The Giants closed within three with 1:23 remaining but a Marshall dunk and Bruce free-throws sealed the deal. Both teams finished with similar shooting stats from the floor but there was a big foul-shot discrepancy, with the Saints going 25-of-30 at the line and the Giants just 5-of-12. The Saints (1-1) host the Southland Sharks (1-0) on Wednesday night (tip-off 7pm), while the Giants (0-2) will search for their first win against the Franklin Bulls (2-0) at home next Friday (tip-off 7.30pm). In the earlier Sky Broadband Rapid League game, the Giants came from five points down after three quarters to win 36-34 on Aston Inwood’s game-winning layup with four seconds to play. Wellington Saints 94 (Shaun Bruce 23, Izayah Le’afa 22, Hyrum Harris 17, Nick Muszynski 17, Nick Marshall 12) Nelson Giants 86 (Brice Johnson 25, Liam Judd 19, Sam Dempster 11, Callum Dalton 11). 1Q: 27-24, HT: 54-46, 3Q: 70-62

NZ Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar is facing a hefty fine and three-match NRL suspension. PHOTO: SKY SPORTS The National Rugby League (NRL) has issued NZ Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar with a breach notice. The NRL alleged on Monday a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct following an altercation with an accredited media member during Round 1 of the 2025 NRL Premiership in Las Vegas. LATEST HEADLINES: Jake Meenhorst takes Charles Tour opener Aumua re-signs with Hurricanes, NZ Rugby International mountain biking at Coronet Peak Whai pull away from Nuggets for NBL victory Ruthe the youngest sub-four-minute runner The breach notice proposes a fine for Agar of A$10,000 (half suspended), a suspension of three NRL matches and a requirement for Agar to undertake appropriate education and training. The suspension prohibits Agar from performing any duties as assistant coach of the Warriors on the days the matches are scheduled. Further, Agar is prohibited from travelling to any away match scheduled for the Warriors during the period of the suspension.   Agar has five business days to respond to the breach notice. According to the reporter in question, UK-based Australian John Davidson, Agar confronted him at halftime in the bowels of Allegiant Stadium, where the Warriors lost 30-8 to the Canberra Raiders in the first game of the season. Agar and the reporter are believed to have known each other from the coach's time working in England, where the 53-year-old served as head coach at Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. The Englishman joined the Warriors in August 2022 on a two-year deal, having previously coached under Warriors head coach Andrew Webster with Toa Samoa.

All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley has the side facing Cote d'Ivoire and Ukraine in June. PHOTO:  DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The All Whites have set their next international fixtures with matches in the new Canadian Shield tournament, taking place in Toronto, Canada in June. New Zealand will face world No 46 Côte d'Ivoire on Saturday, June 7 at 7pm local time (Sunday, June 8, 11am NZ Time), followed by world No 25 Ukraine on Tuesday, June 11 at 5pm local time (Wednesday, June 11, 9am NZT). LATEST HEADLINES: Ruthe becomes youngest sub-4 runner Blues v Crusaders, Chiefs still strong Black Ferns legend no to World Cup Webster pilots Jets to NBL win over Airs Warriors stick with winning combination Both matches will take place at BMO Field, the home of Toronto FC, which will also host contests during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will award three points for a win, one point for a draw and an additional point for a shootout win. All matches will have a winner and games will go directly to penalties after 90 minutes (plus stoppage-time). Should the All Whites win the upcoming FIFA World Cup Oceania Qualifiers, taking place this month, the matches will form part of the crucial build-up programme, as well as providing a taste of playing in a tournament in one of the 2026 host cities. New Zealand faces Fiji in the semifinal of the Oceania Qualifiers on Friday (kick-off 7pm) at Wellington's Sky Stadium, with the winner qualifying for the final, against the winner of the New Caledonia vs Tahiti semifinal, on Monday, March 24 (kick-off 7pm) at Auckland's Eden Park. Should they win, it will see New Zealand represented at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years. All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley was looking forward to the prospect of facing two challenging teams at the Canadian Shield tournament: “We have looked to put in place a programme of games so that should we qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 we will have faced a range of opponents in the build-up, and both Côte d'Ivoire and Ukraine will provide a real test for us, which is exactly what we want. “It will also be a great opportunity to be part of a tournament played in another one of the host countries to give us a taste of what we could face in 2026, if we win our qualification games this month.”

Thames Valley celebrate their Meads Cup win in the Heartland Championship. PHOTO: NZ RUGBY Provincial bragging rights are back up for grabs when the Heartland Championship kicks off for 10 weeks of exciting competition in August. The 2024 season saw Thames Valley end South Canterbury’s three-year reign in winning the Meads Cup, a dramatic extra-time thriller in the Lochore Cup Final and the Bill Osborne Taonga change hands six times. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ All Whites confirm June fixtures Ruthe becomes youngest sub-4 runner Blues v Crusaders, Chiefs still strong Black Ferns legend no to World Cup Webster pilots Jets to NBL win over Airs Excitement is guaranteed from the moment the competition kicks off with a repeat of the Meads Cup Final in round one when Thames Valley host Mid Canterbury. The Bill Osborne Taonga will go on the line in round two when holders King Country host Poverty Bay in Taupō. Both Thames Valley and King Country will have the chance to add to their trophy cabinets in pre-season with confirmed Ranfurly Shield Challenges against Taranaki. New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Community Rugby Steve Lancaster said the Heartland Championship is a great example of rugby being at the heart of communities. “Rugby in our Heartland Unions is thriving, we saw more players than ever before take the field in the community game across these Unions in 2024 and that was followed by a truly entertaining Heartland Championship. “There is something special about seeing seasoned campaigners alongside emerging talent, fuelled by provincial pride, it always produces exciting and entertaining rugby,” said Lancaster. The competition sees an eight-week round robin before the top eight teams play off for the Meads Cup and Lochore Cup. The Finals will be played the following weekend. One Heartland Championship match will be broadcast live on Sky each week. Check out the full schedule here

Anton Cooper is chasing his ninth consecutive Oceania mountain biking title in Queenstown this weekend. PHOTO: BLISSFIELD PHOTO The leading cross-country mountain bikers from the Oceania region are in preparation for the UCI World Cup season at the UCI Mountain Bike Oceania Championships in Queenstown. Over 300 event entries to contest cross-country, short-track and downhill competition at the outstanding Coronet Peak facility. LATEST HEADLINES: Whai pull away from Nuggets in NBL 2025 Heartland Championship set NZ All Whites confirm June fixtures Ruthe becomes youngest sub-4 runner Blues v Crusaders, Chiefs still strong Competition begins with cross-country on Saturday with New Zealand champions Sammie Maxwell and Anton Cooper the major favourites after both took out the New Zealand titles and the Continental series held on both sides of the Tasman over the summer. With Australian star Rebecca Henderson out with injury, Maxwell is the overwhelming favourite in elite women’s XCO as the Decathlon Ford professional prepares for the opening World Cup double round in Brazil starting in three weeks. Maxwell will defend her elite women’s title with most competition likely from outstanding young Australian prospect Zoe Cuthbert. Canterbury professional Anton Cooper is chasing his ninth consecutive men’s elite title as the 30-year-old looks to return to the World Cup circuit after most of last season out with illness, this year moving to the new Lapierre Racing Unity team. Competition will come from Australian Champion Sam Fox with the under-23 battle looming for Canterbury’s Trek Future Racing rider Ethan Rose, Taupo’s Coen Nicol and Harry Doye, who heads a strong group of Australian riders. There is a strong group of Australian in the women’s under-23 headed by recent Australian Champion Ella Menigoz set to take on the kiwis led by Cantabrians, Maria Laurie, Annabel Bligh and Amelie Mackay. The downhill competition signals a welcome return to competition for elite rider Jess Blewitt, who has returned from an injury layoff as the Cube Factory professional targets a breakthrough year on the Whoop World Series. All elites will watch out for Tauranga 18-year-old Eliana Hulsebosch, who joins the crack Santa Cruz Syndicate team this year, and has a liking for the Coronet Peak downhill slopes. She is joined by NZ Junior Champion Kate Hastings and medallist Bellah Birchall. The gravity competition for elite men features local Toby Meek, a former national champion, with other likely prominent riders to include the in-form Sam Gale (nelson), Waikato’s James Macdermid, and Continental Atherton professional Luke Wayman. Racing for cross-country is from 9am on Saturday with elite men from 3:15pm; the XCC racing from 8.50am on Sunday and downhill from 1.30pm.

Jake Meenhorst toasts his victory at the NZ Super 6s on the Charles Tour. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY New Zealand golfer Jake Meenhorst took the long path to victory at the Charles Tour's NZ Super 6s. Aucklander Meenhorst had to survive 30 holes of match-play at the season-opening strokeplay/match-play hybrid tournament to claim victory at the Manawatu Golf Club in Palmerston North on Sunday. LATEST HEADLINES: Aumua re-signs with Hurricanes and NZ Rugby International mountain biking at Coronet Peak Whai pull away from Nuggets for NBL victory Ruthe the youngest sub-four-minute runner Blues injuries vs Crusaders; Chiefs still strong After three rounds of strokeplay, Meenhorst was the No 19 seed for the unique knockout phase, which featured six-hole match-play contests, meaning he had to win five matches to lift the trophy. His path to victory was anything but easy for Meenhorst, who took down Nathan Clark, 2024 runner-up Jayden Ford, James Hydes, last year's champion Tyler Hodge and Dominic Brettkelly. It was a statement performance from the Tara Iti cadet, who now sets his sights on upcoming Pro-Am events in Whangarei as he looks to continue his rise on the New Zealand professional circuit. Over the first three rounds, players battled through traditional 18-hole strokeplay, with the top-24 advancing to Sunday’s showdown. The early rounds saw low scores and shifting leads, with Dongwoo Kang, Cameron Harlock, and Jared Edwards trading places at the top. But as the wind picked up and conditions changed on Saturday, the leaderboard tightened, setting the stage for a tense finale. In a clutch moment, Edwards drained a birdie on the 54th hole to claim the No 1 seed heading into Sunday. From the opening rounds, upsets rocked the competition, with Steven Oh eliminating early tournament leader Kang. One of the most dramatic clashes came when Edwards and Cameron Jones went to three extra playoff holes before Edwards prevailed.

Hooker Asafo Aumua will remain with the Hurricanes until after the 2027 season. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Hooker Asafo Aumua has recommitted to the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027. The 68-cap Hurricanes player debuted for the side in 2018 against the Crusaders after his 2017 breakout NPC season with the Wellington Lions. LATEST HEADLINES: International mountain biking at Coronet Peak Whai pull away from Nuggets for NBL victory Ruthe the youngest sub-four-minute runner Blues injuries vs Crusaders; Chiefs still strong Black Ferns legend says no to Women's RWC The 27-year-old has represented New Zealand for Secondary Schools, Under-20s and the All Blacks, making his test debut in 2021 and playing 20 matches to date, including all 14 tests in 2024. Known for being a brutal rampaging hooker, he is one of the best ball-runners in the game. “It’s pretty special playing with my brothers and playing for my city, so I’m excited to extend my time here with the Hurricanes," Aumua said. “This is big news for the Hurricanes. So excited to have Asafo sign on for a few more years," said Hurricanes head coach Clarke Laidlaw. "We saw last year, when he got that consistency of game time and preparation, just how good of a rugby player he is. “He’s a dynamic ball carrier and attacker, destructive defender but for us, he’s also maturing into a good leader. “This year he is one of our captains and he has the ability now to influence others and the environment through his maturity and consistency. It’s great to have him re-sign with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby.”

The Tauranga Whai have surged to their second home win of the National Basketball League (NBL) season. The Whai hit 13 three-pointers in their 97-82 victory over the Night 'n' Day Otago Nuggets in Week 2 of the Sal's NBL at Mercury Baypark in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Ruthe the youngest sub-four-minute runner Blues injuries vs Crusaders; Chiefs still strong Black Ferns legend says no to Women's RWC Webster pilots Jets to NBL victory over Airs NZ Warriors stick with winning combination Former Tall Blacks guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt put an equal-team-high 25 points (9/18 FG, 4/11 3pt), five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while import point guard Chris Jones matched him with 25 points (7/16 FG, 10/11 FT), six boards, three assists and three steals. Australian forward Sean Bairstow, an NZ Breakers player, almost had a triple-double, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and eight assists, alongside two steals. Two local products, power forward Carter Hopoi and shooting guard Xanda Marsters, also scored in double-digits. Hopoi added 16 points (6/9 FG, 2/2 3pt) and Marsters 16 points (4/8 FG, 4/8 3pt, 4/4 FT), four boards and four assists off the bench. Kruz Perrott-Hunt posted an equal-team-high 25 points for the Tauranga Whai. PHOTO: NBL/BBALL FILMS NZ For the Nuggets, their three imports - Jose Perez, Donald Carey Jr and Todd Withers - combined for 67 of their 82 points. Perez accounted for a game-high 26 points (7/15 FG, 12/17 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists, while guard Carey Jr put up 23 points (7/21 FG, 3/12 3pt, 6/7 FT), five boards and four assists in his first NBL game. Recently-added Withers, a key part of the Nuggets' 2022 NBL championship team, had 18 points (5/16 FG, 3/6 3pt, 5/5 FT) and eight rebounds. The Whai (2-1) remain at home to host the Auckland Tuatara (0-1) on Tuesday (tip-off 7pm), while the Nuggets (0-2) head to Napier to take on the Hawke's Bay Hawks (2-0) on Friday (tip-off 7.30pm). The Whai swept the night, with a 39-26 victory in the Sky Broadband Rapid League game. Marsters put up 13 points and Te Tuhi Lewis 10, while Christian Martin had 12 points for the Nuggets. Tauranga Whai 97 (Kruz Perrott-Hunt 25, Chris Jones 25, Carter Hopoi 16, Xanda Marsters 16) Otago Nuggets 82 (Jose Perez 26, Donald Carey Jr 23, Todd Withers 18). 1Q: 21-20, HT: 55-48, 3Q: 77-65

Sam Tanner (left) checks on Sam Ruthe (in black) going sub-four minutes with Ben Wall third PHOTO: MICHAEL DAWSON/ATHLETICS NZ Bay of Plenty teen Sam Ruthe has become the youngest person to break four minutes for the mile, with a 3m 58.35s run at Mt Smart Stadium. Paced throughout by training partner and two-time Olympian Sam Tanner, Ruthe became the first 15-year-old to go under the sub-four mark despite wet and cold conditions. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues v Crusaders, Chiefs still strong Black Ferns legend no to World Cup Webster pilots Jets to NBL win over Airs Warriors stick with winning combination Devine, Kerr return for Australian serie s Less than a month off his 16th birthday, he beat his own previous age best of 4m 01.72s, set at Whanganui in January. Ruthe became the youngest man to claim a New Zealandsenior title, when he won the 3000m crown at Napier, and then added a second, when he deadheated with Tanner over 1500m at Dunedin last week. Tanner won the race in 3m 58.29s, shouting encouragement to Ruthe younger rival down the homestraight,. Feilding's Ben Wall also broke four minutes for the first time with 3m 59.00s in third.

Stephen Perofeta is in the starting lineup for the Blues against the Crusaders. PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Plenty of questions going into Super Rugby Pacific Round 6, mainly are the Blues done for the season, are the Crusaders back and can the Chiefs continue? All Blacks star Ardie Savea is out of Moana Pasifika's lineup a week after their win over the Hurricanes. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns legend no to World Cup Webster pilots Jets to NBL win over Airs Warriors stick with winning combination Devine, Kerr return for Australian serie s Black Caps blast to victory over Pakistan He sustained a hamstring complaint in his last game, Savea is also due an international break.-Englishman Tom Savage takes over as captain. Form flanker Simon Parker and Anton Lienert-Brown are missing from the Chiefs with injury, replaced by Kaylum Boshier and Gideon Wrampling in the starting lineup. Quinn Tupaea is rotated to the bench for the clash at Pukekohe. Moana Pasifika vs Chiefs, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, Friday, March 21, 7:05pm MOANA PASIFIKA: William Havili, Losi Filipo, Pepesana Patafilo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Miracle Faiilagi, Ola Tauelangi, Allan Craig, Tom Savage (capt), Sione Mafile'o, Millennium Sanerivi, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama CHIEFS: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Gideon Wrampling, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe; Luke Jacobson (capt), Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, James Thompson, Jahrome Brown, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Quinn Tupaea Highlanders vs Queensland Reds, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, Saturday, March 22, 4:35pm Season star Timoci Tavatavanawai moves back out to the wing for the Highlanders as Thomas Umaga-Jensen starts at second-five. TK Howden is at lock, with Fabian Holland coming off the bench and Daniel Lienert-Brown is back from suspension as a win is there for the taking against the inconsistent Reds. HIGHLANDERS: Finn Hurley, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele’a, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai (capt), Taine Robinson, Nathan Hastie; Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka (TK) Howden, Saula Ma’u, Soane Vikena, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Fabian Holland, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Sam Gilbert Blues vs Crusaders, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday, March 22, 7:05pm Stephen Perofeta is back from injury and into a Blues starting XV at Eden Park against old rivals the Crusaders while Hoskins Sotutu returns from suspension to start at the back of scrum. . Twenty-year-old midfielder Xavi Taele is retained after his solid debut last weekend, But a dozen player are absent with injury Ethan Blackadder was going to be in, but is now out with his place taken by Tom Christie for the Crusader. Noah Hotham returns from an injury picked up in their first game but is now in a serious battle to get the starting halfback spot back from Kyle Preston. Brydon Ennor is also out with a hamstring issue. BLUES: Corey Evans, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Sam Nock; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Cameron Christie, Josh Beehre, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Angus Ta'avao, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a. Reserves: James Mullan, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Tristyn Cook, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes CRUSADERS: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Kyle Preston; Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, James O'Connor, Macca Springer

Sarah Hirini won't play for the Black Ferns at the 2025 Rugby World Cup PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Changes to the Black Ferns as star player Sarah Hirini, who won Women's Rugby World Cups in 2017 and 2022 and is a two-time Olympic gold medallist in sevens, has decided not to make herself available for this year's campaign in England. The 32-year-old remains in the Black Ferns Sevens and it seems likely that is where she will end her career. However, several other Black Ferns Sevens stars have opted in. LATEST HEADLINES: Webster pilots Jets to NBL win over Airs Warriors stick with winning combination Devine, Kerr return for Australian serie s Black Caps blast to victory over Pakistan Sun, fellow NZers targeting Miami Open Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Alena Saili, Dhys Faleafaga and Kelsey Teneti, Risi Pouri-Lane and Jorja Miller have made themselves available up for Black Ferns selection as they chase a place in the World Cup squad. Waaka, Setefano, Saili, Faleafaga and Teneti have all been capped before, with Pouri-Lane and Miller possible debutants. Saili, Faleafaga, Teneti, Setefano and Pouri-Lane will join the Black Ferns' first camp in April, ruling them out of selection for the final World Sevens Series event of the season in Los Angeles. Waaka and Miller will join the Black Ferns squad during the Pacific Four Series against Canada, the US and Australia, which starts in May. Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting believes the sevens players will boost the Black Ferns 15s. "Having the ability to add players into the mix that have a proven ability of winning pinnacle events under pressure is invaluable," said Bunting. "It's great to have our best female athletes driving internal competition and striving for selection for World Cup." Black Ferns sevens coach Corey Sweeney said it's in the best interests of both teams to facilitate the switch. "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." Not included in the list of Black Ferns Sevens players is Kelly Brazier, who has been released from sevens to play Super Rugby Aupiki and will be available for selection for the Black Ferns at the end of the competition.