How the Black Ferns might resolve midfield pickle for Rugby World Cup semifinal against Canada
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
ANALYSIS: The Black Ferns have a midfield pickle and no solution was obvious for their semifinal reckoning against Canada.
A potential injury crisis means the only alternative might be shifting one of their star wingers, such as Portia Woodman-Wickliffe or Ayesha Leti-I’iga, into a midfield position they have rarely, or never, played in test rugby.
The world champions were tossed the most awkward curveball ahead of their biggest test since winning the last women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2022.
Coach Allan Bunting had just one specialist midfielder, Stacey Waaka, known to be available for their semifinal with world No 2 Canada in Bristol on Saturday at 6am (NZ time).
Three of their four midfielders went down in six days — Sylvia Brunt and Theresa Setefano (head knocks) were doubts and Amy du Plessis was ruled out of the tournament in England with a shoulder injury.
The possible dearth of fit midfielders prompted Bunting to summon emergency cover from home, with Mererangi Paul flying across the world to join the squad as an injury replacement.
Still, Paul is not a specialist midfielder and has spent her 14-test career on the wing or at fullback.
Bunting could be forced into a reshuffle he never would have envisaged. The timing was shocking for the most significant test of his coaching career.
Who could partner Waaka?
The 30-test centre, a two-time World Cup winner, will start and likely be retained in her preferred position at outside centre. She is most effective there in appearing down the flanks to offload to their strike wingers.
Assuming neither Brunt nor Setefano are available after their head knocks, Bunting will need to pick a new midfield partner for Waaka.
Setefano’s absence would be a blow. A two-time World Cup winner with 22 tests, she is composed and experienced, familiar with the big stage from a decorated sevens career, too.
The Black Ferns did prefer Brunt at second five-eighth until she missed last weekend’s quarterfinal win (46-17) against South Africa in Exeter.
The 27-test Brunt is a traditional power No 12, excellent at crashing into contact with force and quick feet to force defensive lines backwards.
Leti-I’iga, with similar traits as a strong ball carrier, could be a like-for-like replacement and has played in midfield for the Hurricanes Poua in Super Rugby Aupiki.
However, Woodman-Wickliffe was a midfielder for the Blues in the domestic season. At centre, she was player of the match in the final they won 26-19 against Matatū at Eden Park in April.
Days later, Woodman-Wickliffe’s retirement from international rugby was reversed, then Bunting recalled the iconic winger for her third World Cup campaign after wins in 2017 and 2022.
Portia: ‘I love centre’
The 34-year-old said in April she was looking at playing centre, although she has only been utilised on both wings in six tests this year.
“I love centre because I’m not on the wing having to chase down those really fast girls out wide,” Woodman-Wickliffe said.
“I think the last time I played 13 for the Black Ferns was in 2017 in Ireland. It was a long time ago. This time I’m lucky enough to play alongside Ruahei [Demant], who has so much knowledge.
“She can put anyone into a hole, she can communicate and knows everyone’s strengths, and I think that’s why I did so well there.
“What do I offer? I guess I have a different aspect of a bit of speed and a bit of power, not so much a ball game but I’m still learning and really excited about that part.”
Waaka might be nudged to second five-eighth to accommodate Woodman-Wickliffe at centre.
Moving Woodman-Wickliffe inside would mean the Black Ferns lose her firepower out wide, but they have been forced to compromise whatever selection they make in their midfield.
They have oodles of talented outside backs to select if Woodman-Wickliffe or Leti-I’iga were brought off the wing.
Teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee has been excellent on the right, leading the World Cup’s try-scoring charts with eight. Katelyn Vaha’akolo has been one of their most consistent performers on the left since switching from rugby league in 2023.
Renee Holmes is likely to remain at fullback and Paul is in the picture merely as cover, albeit she has played in midfield for the Chiefs Manawa.
The latter’s call-up effectively ruled out any chance of No 10 Ruahei Demant dropping back to second-five, which she has done before, but she is the only specialist first-five.
The other option is the versatile veteran Kelly Brazier. However, the outside back has played only two tests this season after a four-year hiatus and might not be tossed into the cauldron of a World Cup semifinal with such limited playing time.
The Black Ferns haven’t beaten Canada in their last two meetings in Christchurch, drawing 27-27 in May and losing 22-19 last year.
The powerful Canadians stormed into the last four with a 46-5 rout of Australia in their quarterfinal and won’t fear the Black Ferns.