Canty squad bolstered

The Canterbury women’s rugby team will welcome back front rower Steph Te Ohaere-Fox for its defence of the Farah Palmer Cup.

Te Ohaere-Fox returns after giving birth to her family’s second child last year. She is also aiming to become just the second player in New Zealand to earn 100 caps for a province, and just the fourth overall.

Canterbury, who beat Waikato in the Farah Palmer Cup final in Christchurch last year, has also been bolstered by halfbacks Melanie Puckett, Dianne Hiini and first five-eighth/fullback Rosie Kelly. Hiini and Kelly return after playing in Otago and Ireland, respectively.

Black Fern Amy du Plessis has shifted north from Otago, and Marcelle Parkes has joined from Wellington.

During the off-season they linked-up with the Canterbury high performance unit to try and force their way into the province’s representative squad.

‘‘I’m excited to be back,’’ Te Ohaere-Fox said. ‘‘I’m really blessed to be able to play the game I love and have a beautiful wha¯ nau.

‘‘I know this year is going to be really challenging, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’’

Canterbury coach Blair Baxter welcomed the players into the squad he named yesterday.

‘‘While Steph and Mel both offered their skills and experience off the park last season, to have them both out on the park will be a big bonus,’’ Baxter said.

‘‘The work they’ve both done in the gym to get themselves ready for a Farah Palmer Cup campaign is nothing short of a massive credit to their desire and determination to be the best they can be.’’ The squad will again be led by Alana Bremner, with fellow Black Fern Grace Brooker as her deputy.

‘‘They led our team with great success last season and I’m sure they’ll continue to do so again this year. They’re really well supported by the other leaders in the team too,’’ Baxter noted.

Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge has been named for her 15th consecutive Farah Palmer Cup campaign, after taking this year’s club season off.

New caps in line to make their Farah Palmer Cup debuts include HSOB’s rising sevens talent Jorja Miller, University’s big strong ball carrier Stacey Niao and Lincoln University’s impressive lineout exponent Emma Dermody.

New Zealand Gymnast Bronwyn Dibb will bring her form from the floor to the field in the outside backs.