Black Ferns name large World Cup squad
Black Ferns head coach Glenn Moore has named a 51-strong squad in preparation for this year’s Women’s World Cup, including several of the country’s leading sevens professionals.
Published by Alison Donnelly, February 7th, 2017
3 minute read
The squad will be part of a regional training programme designed to identify and develop the best players in the country and comes on the back of a good 2016 for New Zealand, who were unbeaten in both their home series against Australia, and away series against Canada, England and Ireland.
Moore said: “We’ll be making World Cup selections from this wider training group. With an Olympic medal-winning sevens team and a growing provincial tournament there’s a lot of talent out there and the number of women with the black jersey in their sights is on the rise. We want to make sure we take the strongest squad possible to the World Cup.”
The squad features all 2016 Black Ferns and includes Black Ferns Linda Itunu, Justine Lavea, Lesley Ketu and Stacey Waaka who are all returning from injury.
Final trials will take place in mid-May. Details of an international home series in June will be announced in the coming weeks, with Canada, France and England all expected to travel to New Zealand for a tour.
2017 Black Ferns Women’s Rugby World Cup training squad
Eloise Blackwell, Fiao'o Faamausili, Charlene Gubb, Aldora Itunu, Linda Itunu, Emma Jensen, Charmaine McMenamin, Aleisha Nelson, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Kiritapu Demant, Tyla Nathan-Wong (all Auckland), Luka Connor, Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox, Kendra Cocksedge, Jessie Hansen ,Pip Love (all Canterbury), Justine Lavea, Rawinia Everitt, Aotearoa (Katie) Mata'u, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Aroha Savage, Renee Wickliffe, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Arihana Marino, Sharnita Woodman, Badin-Lee Munro-Smith, Hazel Tubic, Portia Woodman (all Counties Manukau), Kristina Sue, Janna Vaughan, Sarah Goss, Selica Winiata, Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga, Cyrstal Mayes (all Manawatu), Becky Wood, Chelsea Alley, Charmaine Smith ,Emma Iverson (all North Harbour) Angie Sisifa, Greer Muir (Otago), Ariana Bayler, Sosoli Talawadua, Toka Natua, Carla Hohepa, Honey Hireme, Lesley Ketu, Stacey Waaka (all Waikato), Jackie Fereti, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Ayesha Leti-Liga (all Wellington)