Black Ferns O'Reilly Cup squad announced

Black Ferns coaches have gone for consistency and experience, in their 30-strong squad named ahead of their upcoming O’Reilly Cup Test in Australia. 

The Black Ferns team is (Age/Super Club/Province/Test caps):
Loosehead Props
Aldora Itunu (32, Blues, Auckland, 26)
Chryss Viliko (23, Blues, Auckland, 5)
Phillipa Love (34, Matatū, Canterbury, 27)

Hookers
Atlanta Lolohea (21, Matatū, Canterbury, new cap)
Georgia Ponsonby (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 23)
Luka Connor (27, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 23)

Tighthead props
Amy Rule (23, Matatū, Canterbury, 22)
Tanya Kalounivale (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 13)

Locks
Alana Bremner (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 20)
Chelsea Bremner (29, Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury, 18)
Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu (21, Blues, Auckland, 2)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (22, Blues, Auckland, 24)

Loose Forwards
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22, Matatū, Manawatū, 5)
Layla Sae (23, Hurricanes Poua, 6)
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (22, Blues, Auckland, 21)
Lucy Jenkins (23, Matatū, Canterbury, 6)
Mia Anderson (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, new cap)

Halfbacks
Iritana Hohaia (24, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 9)
Maia Joseph (22, Matatū, Otago, 3)

First Five-Eighths
Hannah King (20, Hurricanes Poua, Canterbury, 2)
Ruahei Demant (29, Blues, Auckland, 36)

Midfield
Amy du Plessis (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 17)
Grace Steinmetz (26, Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury, 3)
Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (20, Blues, Auckland, 16)
Monica Tagoai (25, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 2)

Outside backs
Katelyn Vahakoolo (24, Blues, Auckland, 9)
Mererangi Paul (25, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 8)
Patricia Maliepo (21, Blues, Auckland, 9)
Renee Holmes (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 17)
Ruby Tui (32, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 15)

Unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Charmaine Smith (back), Grace Leaso Gago (neck), Kate Henwood (shoulder), Kennedy Simon (ankle), Marcelle Parkes (knee), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).

Talented lock Chelsea Bremner and competitive loose forward Lucy Jenkins have been named in their first Test squad for the 2024 season. Experienced loosehead prop Phillipa Love, and hopeful debutant Atlanta Lolohea have once again earnt their call-up after providing injury cover during the Pacific Four Series. 

Chiefs Manawa loose forward Mia Anderson is named in the Black Ferns squad for the first time, following a blockbusting Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season and impressive showing in Black Ferns camps. Anderson joins the side with the absence of Black Ferns Co-Captain Kennedy Simon who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. 

Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said consistency within the squad has made for a competitive selection process.

“We wanted to see consistency within our squad to prepare to face Australia, but also wanted to ensure those who missed out on the Pacific Four Series had their opportunity to put their best foot forward. We have a few injuries, but we have a competitive group of wāhine who are eager to step up and take ownership of the chance they are given.”

“We know that Australia will be continuing to adapt and improve with their new coaching group. We expect they will be well supported by their whānau and fans to deliver a strong performance in Brisbane. We are excited for that challenge and provides us with another Test to prepare ahead of our England Test and WXV1 tournament.”

The Black Ferns squad will assemble on Monday 1 July in Auckland, before departing for Brisbane, Australia on Sunday 7 July ahead of their O’Reilly Cup Test against Australia on Sunday 14 July. 

O’Reilly Cup Schedule (New Zealand times and dates listed)
Black Ferns v Australia, 25 May, North Harbour Stadium AUCKLAND. Result: 67-19. 
Black Ferns vs Australia, Sunday 14 July, 2.00pm (AEST), 4.00pm (NZT), Ballymore Stadium, BRISBANE