In recent years, clashes between Australia and New Zealand in the Mixed Open have been the most closely contested, with a Stephanie Maiolo drop-off winner the only difference between the two sides in 2024. This April, two revamped sides will take the field in New Zealand, as Australia aims to defend their series title won two years ago in Brisbane. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Open Trans-Tasman Series, Mixed Open division.
The Numbers That Matter
1 – Four of the past five encounters have been decided by a single try. The most fiercely contested Opens division in recent memory, history shows we’re in for an exhilarating series when these teams collide in Christchurch.
9 – Nine Australians will be donning the green and gold for the first time at Opens level. Zayne Cox, Kate Hammond, Riley Jones, Keesha Kapea, Joshua Moffitt, Jade Pond, Blaise Prendergast, Bradley Russell, and Mitchell Wilton will all be making their debuts for the Athelite Australian Emus this series. A blend of emerging prospects coming straight from the youth system and experienced players finally getting their crack at Opens competition, the new Aussies are expected to provide plenty of exciting moments this series.
57 – With fifty-seven tries, Stephanie Maiolo is one of Australia’s leading try scorers on the international stage. Currently sitting eleventh all-time in the Aussie ranks, a strong campaign across the ditch can see her get in touching distance of the top five. With twenty-three tries at last year’s FIT World Cup, the Sydney Scorpion representative already comfortably sits in the history books as one of Australia’s greatest ever try scorers in the Mixed Open division.
Past Five Results
- Australia (8) defeated New Zealand (7) – 2024 FIT World Cup Gold Medal Match, Nottingham, England*
- Australia (10) defeated New Zealand (9) – 2023 Open Trans-Tasman Series Game 3, Brisbane, Australia
- Australia (9) defeated New Zealand (5) – 2023 Open Trans-Tasman Series, Game 2 Brisbane, Australia
- Australia (11) defeated New Zealand (10) – 2023 Open Trans-Tasman Series, Game 1 Brisbane, Australia
- Australia (7) defeated New Zealand (6) – 2019 FIT World Cup Gold Medal Match, Putrajaya, Malaysia
*Drop-Off
Fixtures
- April 25th: Game 1 – 2pm // 12pm AEST
- April 26th: Game 2 – 2pm // 12pm AEST
- April 27th: Game 3 – 9am // 7am AEST
All games will be broadcasted live on the Touch New Zealand YouTube Channel.
The Athelite Australian Emus
As aforementioned, nine Australians will be making their Opens debut this series. Of those nine, five have played for Australia at youth level, including Zayne Cox, who's scored fifteen tries across two campaigns. For Keesha Kapea, Mitchel Wilton, and Riley Jones, this series will mark their first ever opportunity to don the green and gold for their country, an opportunity well earned through their respective domestic careers.
In the midst of a fresh-look Mixed Open side, the experience of Jackson Mills, Zara Nicholas, Zach Bouzounis, Tim Baartz, Stephanie Maiolo, and Jess Potts will be crucial to how this side operates. Recent performances at the Touch World Cup and the Open Trans-Tasman Series suggest that these more experienced players possess the composure needed to excel under pressure. Of the four players that started for the Aussies in last year’s World Cup drop-off, three remain in the side (Zach Bouzounis, Zara Nicholas, Steph Maiolo).
The Athelite Australian Mixed Open Emus in recent years has been set up with a well-balanced offense and an effective defensive gameplan. Forcing the Kiwis to make mistakes on attack, the Aussies reliability and consistency on defence was crucial to their World Cup triumph. A healthy blend of reliability on defence, well-coordinated set plays, and individual creativity has been the key to Australia’s success in the past.
The New Zealand Touch Blacks
For the second consecutive World Cup, the Mixed Open Gold Medal match was decided by a single try, with the Kiwis just falling short of being crowned world champions. Eight players return to the side in 2025, including Nathan Rollinson who scored a double in the final. Unlike the Aussies, only four players will be making their Opens debut this year. North Harbour trio Daniel D’Urban-Burgess, Tametea Winiana, and Tiana Tiro, join Riley Harrison in donning the famous Black jersey for the first time in their careers at Opens level.
The other fresh faces to the team are a mix of familiar names switching teams, including George D’Urban-Burgess who has joined the Mixed side after representing the Men’s outfit in 2024, and returning players who didn’t compete in last year’s World Cup such as Jordan Tuakana-Hudson who returns after last representing the Mixed Open side two years ago in Brisbane.
One key debut for the Touch Blacks will be on the sidelines in the form of Damian Burden. Following prior experience as an assistant coach, he will be leading the New Zealand side’s coaching outfit for the first time ever. With an attention to detail, high standards have been set at training. Stronger team chemistry may prove to be a crucial difference between the rival nations this tournament, especially in the opening game. Determined to avenge their shortcomings in recent campaigns, a prepared and ready Touch Blacks side awaits the Aussies in Christchurch.
Athelite Australian Emus to Watch
Tim Baartz
Australian captain Tim Baartz is ready to lead his troops into battle again this weekend in Christchurch following a successful World Cup campaign in 2024. Chipping in with six tries and plenty of assists, the Queenslander was a massive influence throughout the week in Nottingham, constantly coming up with big plays in the middle of the park. The classy middle is a tireless worker on both ends of the field, always willing to put in the hard work that often goes unnoticed. Whether he’s sliding over himself or putting his teammates through from dummy half, the Australian captain has a commanding presence on a Touch field. Look to the BMTA Mustangs representative to be crucial figure again in the big moments this series.
Jade Pond
Of the fresh faces to this year’s Athelite Australian Emus Mixed Open outfit, Jade Pond will be a key player to watch on the wing this series. The Hills Hornets representative is an elite finisher, evident by her support runs in the middle of the field and her athleticism up and down the sideline. On the defensive end, she’s shown superb reading and understanding off the game, often making the correct decision on the line. The Sydney Scorpions representative also has prior international experience for the Emus at Youth level, representing the Mixed 18s side as they defeated New Zealand in the 2020 Youth Trans-Tasman Test Series in Newcastle. Now making her Opens debut, Jade is ready to pounce on this opportunity.
Rivals to Watch
Deena Ranginui-Puketapu
An elite winger, Deena returns to the New Zealand Touch Blacks fresh off an impressive World Cup campaign in Nottingham. A pivotal member of the Women’s Open team last July, she crossed the line nineteen times (including once in the final) over the week and played in every single game. Now competing in the Mixed Open division, the Māori Touch Football All Stars representative is expected to bring that same level of athleticism and energy to this series. With incredible finishing and exceptional positioning, Deena will be difficult to manage on the wing for the Aussies. Limiting her influence on attack will be crucial to winning this series.
Tiaan McIntyre
Despite competing in two Touch World Cups, this series will mark Tiaan McIntyre’s Open Trans-Tasman Series debut. With seven tries and plenty of contributions, the Auckland representative was heavily involved in the Touch Blacks on both ends of the field in Nottingham last year. With silky footwork and exceptional diving technique, the former NRL Touch Premiership athlete is an elite attacking option close to the line for the Touch Blacks. Driving up the field and setting up plays from dummy half, the Kiwi will be heavily influential in dictating the play of his side on attack. Not just a strong finisher, Tiaan is also a high-quality playmaker, capable of finding gaps in the field for his teammates to get through. Should New Zealand look to be victorious on home soil, Tiaan will be crucial to any success.
Closing Thoughts
With a fresh new side and heading into enemy territory, the Athelite Australian Emus have an almighty challenge lined up in front of them. Featuring a blend of emerging prospects and veterans of the sport taking the field, this series certainly won’t disappoint.
*All Stats Courtesy of the Touch Almanac
