Gizzy double trouble

Kelsey Teneti’s first test try would have been the highlight for her Gisborne whānau and supporters in last weekend’s Pacific Four Series match between the Black Ferns and Canada. And it was fitting that it was set up by fellow Gisborne Black Fern Renee Holmes, preparing for a conversion attempt in the 52-21 victory. Teneti was in the starting 15 for the Black Ferns’ match against the USA this morning, with Holmes on the bench. Pictures by Andrew Cornaga and Matt Zambonin/www.photosport.nz

Gisborne’s Kelsey Teneti got the second start of her international rugby 15s career for the Black Ferns this morning in their Pacific Four Series clash with the United States in Canada (8am kick-off NZ time).

Teneti, 20, was on the wing for her third test while fellow Gisborne player Renee Holmes, the regular starting fullback, was on the bench.

Teneti made her Black Ferns test debut against Australia in Tauranga last year at centre and returned to the international 15s stage last week from the bench against Canada in Ottawa.

She came on in the 50th minute and capped a strong game with her first test try.

Fittingly, it was a Gisborne-combined effort, with Holmes getting the ball from a scrum and drawing in two defenders before passing to Teneti who sprinted in to score.

The Black Ferns beat Canada 52-21, with Teneti’s try their final points of the game.

The win, following on from victory over Australia the previous weekend, cemented New Zealand’s place at the top of the table.

It also secured their spot at the WXV Division 1 women’s international competition being held in New Zealand later this year.

Teneti, the daughter of Gisborne’s Kelvin and Louise Teneti, has come a long way fast in sevens and 15s rugby after excelling in many sports in Gisborne including hockey, waka ama, judo — her first cousin is Commonwealth Games bronze medal-winning judoka Sydnee Andrews — swimming and football.

A Lytton High and Hamilton Girls’ High old girl, Teneti played provincial rugby for Waikato during the 2020-21 seasons and joined the Chiefs Manawa side in 2021.

She is a contracted Black Ferns Sevens player but was called into the Ferns 15s squad as injury cover for the Pacific Four Series.