Black Ferns squad for International Women's Rugby Series named

Black Ferns squad for International Women’s Rugby Series named

Two new players named in squad
Home series the initial focus
Squad packed with character and talent – Coach

The Black Ferns squad for June’s International Women’s Rugby Series was named in Palmerston North today, and it includes two newcomers.

The Black Ferns take on Canada, Australia and England in the home series in the lead-up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland in August.

The squad is (*denotes new player):

FORWARDS
Eloise Blackwell	Auckland
Rawinia Everitt	Counties Manukau
Fiao’o Faamausili (c)	Auckland
Sarah Goss	Manawatu
Aldora Itunu	Auckland
Linda Itunu	Auckland
Lesley Ketu	Waikato
Justine Lavea	Counties Manukau
Pip Love	Canterbury
Charmaine McMenamin	Auckland
Toka Natua	Waikato
Aleisha Nelson	Auckland
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate	Counties Manukau
Aroha Savage	Counties Manukau
Angelene Sisifa	Otago
Charmaine Smith	North Harbour
Sosoli Talawadua	Waikato
Rebecca Wood*	North Harbour
BACKS
Chelsea Alley	Waikato
Kelly Brazier	Bay of Plenty
Kendra Cocksedge	Canterbury
Theresa Fitzpatrick*	Auckland
Honey Hireme	Waikato
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali	Counties Manukau
Kristina Sue	Manawatu
Hazel Tubic	Counties Manukau
Janna Vaughan	Manawatu
Stacey Waaka	Waikato
Renee Wickliffe	Counties Manukau
Selica Winiata	Manawatu
Portia Woodman	Counties Manukau

Coach Glenn Moore said the majority of the players named today were likely to form the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad.

“While the World Cup is the pinnacle event we have three very important home Tests. Players are very excited about it and the home Tests are an opportunity for us to try some of the things against the same opposition we will face at World Cup, without showing too much.”

Rebecca Wood (North Harbour) and Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland) have been named in the squad for the first time.

Moore said Fitzpatrick brought huge talent and was able to play at both 12 and 13.

“She’s got some pace and some real skills and attributes around those positions. She’s a strong defender and she thoroughly deserves her selection.”

Moore said he’d been impressed with Wood’s depth of character and resilience as well as her skill.

“Becky is a firefighter and she has a lot of courage. She was someone we had on our radar last year. She’s fairly new to the game, but leading up to this her talent and character really stood out.”

“There’s a lot of character here and a lot of people here with really good work ethic and a desire to do well.

“We have had a vision for how we want to play the game, and for the last couple of years we have been progressively building that. We’re looking to advance year-on-year and I think we’ve made good strides there.”

The wider World Cup training squad includes a further seven players who will continue to train in regional hubs.

The seven players are: Charlene Gubb (Auckland), Jessie Hansen (Christchurch), Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Emma Jensen (Auckland), Aotearoa Mata’u (Counties Manukau), Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland), and Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Canterbury).

2017 International Women’s Rugby Series

Friday, 9 June – Wellington

Black Ferns v Canada, Westpac Stadium (followed by Hurricanes v Chiefs)

Australia v England, Porirua Park

Tuesday, 13 June – Christchurch

Black Ferns v Australia, Rugby Park

Canada v England, Rugby Park

Saturday, 17 June – Rotorua

Black Ferns v England, Rotorua International Stadium (followed by Maori All Blacks v British and Irish Lions)

Australia v Canada, Smallbone Park