Three new faces in Black Ferns squad for Pacific Four Series
Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting has named three debutants in the squad to play the United States, Canada and Australia in the Pacific Four Series this month.
Blues lock Maama Vaipulu will be joined by Matatū halfback Maia Joseph and Hurricanes Poua first five-eighth Hannah King in the squad for the first time.
Blues tighthead prop Aldora Itunu earns her first Black Ferns call-up since 2021, while converted Matatū loosehead prop Marcelle Parkes and Hurricanes Poua midfielder Monica Tagoai return for the first time since 2019 and 2018 respectively.
“We are hugely excited by the squad we have selected for the Pacific Four series,’’ Bunting said.
”We have seen these players perform strongly during Sky 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.”
Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon have been named as co-captains.
The Black Ferns will open their season on home soil, when they take on the United States at FMG Stadium Waikato, in the first test of the series.
The remaining two tests will be played in Christchurch and Auckland, which doubles as the O'Reilly Cup.
Black Ferns squad:
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 LetiI'iga (knee), Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Joanah Ngan-Woo (ankle), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).