Kiwis lose flanker Miller for World Cup semi-final

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FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - HSBC Sevens - Vancouver - Ireland v New Zealand - BC Place, Vancouver, Canada - February 21, 2025 Irelands Alana Fitzpatrick in action with Ireland v New Zealands Jorja Miller REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier/File Photo

Defending champions New Zealand will have to do without key loose forward Jorja Miller in their Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against Canada on Friday.

An unspecified injury has seen her left out of the team, which was announced on Wednesday, but Miller, who has made an impressive switch from sevens rugby, played with a heavily strapped left knee in the 46-17 quarter-final victory over South Africa before going off early in the second half.

Kennedy Tukuafu, who co-captained of the team that won the World Cup on home soil four years ago, replaces Miller in one of four changes to the starting line-up.

Sylvia Brunt returns at centre after missing the quarter-final victory because of a head knock, Risi Pouri-Lane replaces Maia Joseph at scrumhalf and the more experienced Tanya Kalounivale has been preferred at tighthead to Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu.

The winners advance to the September 27 final to meet England or France, who play their semi-final at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Team: 15-Renee Holmes, 14-Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13-Stacey Waaka, 12-Sylvia Brunt, 11-Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10-Ruahei Demant (co-captain),9-Risi Pouri-Lane, 8-Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7-Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain),6-Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5-Alana Bremner, 4-Maia Roos, 3-Tanya Kalounivale, 2-Georgia Ponsonby, 1-Chryss Viliko.

Replacements: 16-Atlanta Lolohea, 17-Kate Henwood, 18-Amy Rule, 19-Chelsea Bremner,