Paekau set to face Tonga
No 14 jersey for Te Awamutu’s Capri Paekau as she makes her Kiwi Ferns debut
Debuting for the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns on home soil will be a pinch-me moment for the newest rugby league stars named in this week’s line-up, with Te Awamutu’s Capri Paekau among them.
A new-look team has been named to take on Mate Ma’a Tonga Women in Saturday’s triple-header at Eden Park as part of the Pacific Championships.
Young Parramatta Eels hooker Paekau is set to make her debut off the bench, donning the No 14 jersey.
“It’s a big honour and privilege. I’ve been in the development system since I was 18,” Paekau says.
“To finally come through, it’s definitely been one of my biggest achievements in footy. It’s always been a dream of mine”
Hot off the back of an NRLW season with the Canberra Raiders, after converting from union, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, too, makes her debut.
Robins-Reti is a former Black Ferns, Black Ferns Sevens, Hurricanes Poua and Waikato FPC player, as well as a 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki champion with Matatū. Having been cleared to play after an eye injury in the NRLW season, Robins-Reti steps on to the wing.
Taranaki’s Tiana Davison is another new face named in the team.
“It’s very surreal, and to do it at home in front of family and friends is even more surreal. I think there will be a few tears shed,” she says.
Tiana, who made the switch from rugby union to league in 2022 and helped the Newcastle Knights win the 2023 NRLW grand final, once had her sights set on making the Black Ferns.
On Saturday she will don the black-and-white jersey in front of friends and family, who will travel from her small home town of Waitara to watch her take the field for the first time as a Kiwi Fern.
“Following my time with the Knights this year, I knew if I worked hard and kept my head down, my time would come . . .” the 22-year-old says.
Davison says her goal is to show the next generation in her home town there is a pathway into elite sport if you put your mind to it.
Making her first appearance in the Pacific Championships alongside Davison is Abigail Roache, also of the Newcastle Knights and a 2023 Waitomo Chiefs Manawa rep.
“My family all managed to come to the NRLW grand final, so it’s going to be really special to play in front of them at home. I’m hoping my grandparents will make it,” Roache says.
Off the back of a narrow 16-10 loss to the Australian Jillaroos on Saturday in Townsville, head coach Ricky Henry has made some changes to the previous line-up.
“It’s been a really tough selection process where we are leaving out some top players, but it shows our depth as we build towards the 2026 World Cup,” Henry says.
Brisbane Broncos centre Mele Hufanga caught the attention of many with her try against the Jillaroos in the Kiwi Ferns’ first match of the Pacific Championships.
Leading from the front, Mele says she is so proud of how far the debutants have come in a short time.
“These young guns are really talented, and they really showed up on Saturday against the Jillaroos.”
Asked what she’s expecting this weekend, Mele says she expects the Tongan players to come for her.
“I’m just focusing on doing better and being better,” she says.
The kickoff for the match between Mate Ma’a Tonga Women and the Kiwi Ferns will be at 3.45pm on Saturday.
■ 2023 Kiwi Ferns Pacific Championship team list:
1. Shanice Parker — Newcastle Knights; 2. Cheyelle Robins-Reti — Canberra Raiders; 3. Mele Hufanga — Brisbane Broncos; 4. Abigail Roache — Newcastle Knights; 5. Leianne Tufuga — Wests Tigers; 6. Tyla Nathan-Wong —St George Illawarra Dragons; 7. Raecene McGregor (cc) — St George Illawarra Dragons; 8. Mya Hill-Moana — Sydney Roosters; 9. Brooke Anderson — Cronulla Sharks; 10. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa — St George Illawarra Dragons; 11. Otesa Pule — Sydney Roosters; 12. Annessa Biddle — Cronulla Sharks; 13. Georgia Hale (cc) — Gold Coast Titans
Interchange: 14. Capri Paekau — Parramatta Eels; 15. Najvada George — Wests Tigers; 16. Amelia Pasikala — Sydney Roosters; 17. Tiana Davison — Newcastle Knights; 18. Jasmine Fogavini — Brisbane Broncos