Waikato lose nine Black Ferns for finals
Waikato will play for a place in the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) final without nine of their best players who have been made unavailable because of Black Ferns call-ups.
The Black Ferns head to Europe next month for two tests against both England and France – their first test matches in more than two years – and assemble for their pre-tour camp in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, a day after Waikato host Wellington in the premiership’s preliminary final in Hamilton.
Nine players (Grace HoupapaBarrett, Tanya Kalounivale, Kennedy Simon, Ariana Bayler, Chelsea Alley, Stacey Fluhler, Carla Hohepa, Renee Holmes and Cheyelle Robins-Reti) from Waikato, who lost 8-7 in last year’s final to Canterbury, were named in the national women’s squad on September 6.
Wellington and Northland will also not have their Black Ferns available for this week’s preliminary finals, although they only lose three (Joanah NganWoo, Dhys Faleafaga and Ayesha Leti-I’iga) and two (Krystal Murray and Portia Woodman) respectively. Hawke’s Bay have no Black Ferns in their squad.
Waikato coach James Semple
Farah Palmer Cup, preliminary finals:
Championship: Northland v Hawke’s Bay, tomorrow at 4:35pm, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei.
The winner plays Manawatu¯ in the final next weekend. Premiership: Waikato v Wellington, Saturday at 12:05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton.
The winner plays Canterbury in the final next weekend.
said it was fair to not have Black Ferns available for the finals because it’s a blanket rule for everyone, starting this weekend.
‘‘We’re stoked for our girls who got selected [for the Black Ferns] and stoked for those who get more game time,’’ Semple told Stuff.
‘‘The Black Ferns have got a job to do. They need to prepare for England and France, who have played in the Six Nations. We understand that.’’
The FPC’s three teams in locked down Auckland – Auckland, Counties Manukau and North Harbour – withdrew from the competition last week because they were unable to train or play under level 3 restrictions.