New Zealand winger Ruby Tui has been left out of the side’s 33-woman squad for this month’s Pacific Four Series.

The 33-year-old, who scored five tries during the Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup triumph in 2022, was one of three high-profile absentees from the squad with Renee Holmes and Chelsea Bremner also missing out.

But coach Allan Bunting says the trio remain part of his thinking as they continue to prepare for their Women’s World Cup title defence in England later this year.

“It’s a tight race leading up to our World Cup campaign and we know we’ve had to make tough calls at this point,” said Bunting.

“Our whole group is important on this journey, there is still a bit more water to go under the bridge before we name our World Cup squad.”