A 30-strong Black Ferns squad for the Pacific Four Series has been named to play in the three home Tests in Hamilton, Auckland and Christchurch.
Black Ferns coaches, Allan Bunting, Steve Jackson, Mike Delany, Tony Christie and Dan Cron have rewarded Sky Super Rugby Aupiki form with the competition’s top performers named in the first squad of the year, with three players in line for Test debuts.
Stand-out Blues lock Maama Vaipulu will be joined by the exciting young pairing of Matatū halfback Maia Joseph and Hurricanes Poua first five-eighth Hannah King in the squad for the first time.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Powerful Blues tighthead prop Aldora Itunu earns her first Black Ferns call up since 2021, while converted Matatū loosehead prop Marcelle Parkes and tenacious Hurricanes Poua midfielder Monica Tagoai return for the first time since 2019 and 2018 respectively.
Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said the intense nature of the Super Rugby Aupiki competition has made for a competitive selection process.
“We are hugely excited by the squad we have selected for the Pacific Four series. We have seen these players perform strongly during Super Rugby Aupiki and their selection is credit to their consistent form across the competitive season.
“This series is extremely important for us, not only to provide an opportunity to expose our new players to the international stage, but to seek qualification up for the WXV1 tournament at the end of the year.”
The Black Ferns will open their 2024 season on home soil, when they take on USA at FMG Stadium Waikato, in the first Test of the Pacific Four Series. The Test match will be the first of three, with the remaining two Tests taking place in Christchurch and Auckland, which doubles as the O'Reilly Cup presented by Ryman Healthcare.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming months. To have the opportunity for our whānau and fans to see the team is special. We are excited about the challenge that lies ahead for us, and we feel the support of Aotearoa when they are cheering us on,” said Bunting.
The Black Ferns team is (Age/Super Club/Province/Test caps):
Loosehead Props
Kate Henwood (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 4)
Chryss Viliko (23, Blues, Auckland, 2)
Marcelle Parkes (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 5)
Hookers
Luka Connor (27, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 20)
Georgia Ponsonby (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 20)
Leaso Grace Gago Tiatia (25, Blues, Counties Manukau, 1)
Tighthead Props
Tanya Kalounivale (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 11)
Amy Rule (23, Matatū, Canterbury, 19)
Aldora Itunu (32, Blues, Auckland, 24)
Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (22, Blues, Auckland, 21)
Charmaine Smith (33, Chiefs Manawa, Northland, 29)
Maama Vaipulu (21, Blues, Auckland, new cap)
Alana Bremner (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 19)
Loose Forwards
Kennedy Simon (27, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 20) (Co-Captain)
Layla Sae (23, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 3)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (22, Blues, Auckland, 18)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (21, Matatū, Manawatū, 2)
Halfbacks
Iritana Hohaia (24, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 6)
Maia Joseph (21, Matatū, Otago, new cap)
First Five-Eighths
Ruahei Demant (29, Blues, Auckland, 33) (Co-Captain)
Hannah King (20, Hurricanes Poua, Canterbury, new cap)
Midfield
Logo i Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (20, Blues, Auckland, 13)
Amy du Plessis (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 14)
Grace Steinmetz (26, Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury, 2)
Monica Tagoai (25, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 3)
Outside Backs
Ruby Tui (32, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 13)
Mererangi Paul (25, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 5)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (24, Blues, Auckland, 6)
Patricia Maliepo (21, Blues, Auckland, 7)
Renee Holmes (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 16)
Unavailable for selection: Ayesha Leti-I'iga (knee), Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Joanah Ngan-Woo (ankle), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).
Pacific Four Series Schedule (New Zealand times and dates listed)
Black Ferns v USA, Saturday 11 May, 2.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON
Black Ferns v Canada, Sunday 19 May, 4.35pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
Black Ferns v Australia, Saturday 25 May, 2.05pm, North Harbour Stadium, AUCKLAND (O’Reilly Cup, presented by Ryman Healthcare).