Experienced Black Ferns squad named for end of year tour

The Black Ferns coaching group have today named an exciting 30-player squad for their highly anticipated end of year tour where they will play England at Twickenham, before venturing to Canada for WXV1 in September. 

The much-anticipated return of talented 21-Test winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga and 23 Test co-captain Kennedy Simon are highlights of the experienced squad. 

The 30-player Black Ferns squad is (age, Super Rugby Club, Provincial Union, Test caps):
Forwards:
Alana Bremner (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 21)
Amy Rule (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 24)
Atlanta Lolohea (21, Matatū, Canterbury, 1)
Chelsea Bremner (29, Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury, 19)
Chryss Viliko (23, Blues, Auckland, 6)
Georgia Ponsonby (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 24)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22, Matatū, Manawatū, 6)
Kate Henwood (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 5)
Kennedy Simon (27, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23) (Co-Captain)
Layla Sae (23, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 7)
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (22, Blues, Auckland, 22)
Lucy Jenkins (23, Matatū, Canterbury, 7)
Luka Connor (27, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 23)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (21, Blues, Auckland, 2)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 25)
Marcelle Parkes (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 6)
Phillipa Love (34, Matatū, Canterbury, 28)
Tanya Kalounivale (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 14)

Backs:
Amy Du Plessis (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 17)
Ayesha Leti-I'iga (25, Hurricanes Poua, 21)
Hannah King (20, Hurricanes Poua, 3)
Iritana Hohaia (24, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 10)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (24, Blues, Auckland, 10)
Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (20, Blues, Auckland, 17)
Maia Joseph (22, Matatū, Otago, 4)
Mererangi Paul (25, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 9)
Patricia Maliepo (21, Blues, Auckland, 9)
Renee Holmes (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 18)
Ruahei Demant (29, Blues, Auckland, 37) (Co-Captain)
Ruby Tui (32, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 14)

Unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Grace Leaso Gago (neck), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).

Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said Leti-I'iga’s impact on the team is special. The winger was a standout in the 2021 Rugby World Cup Final, scoring two tries in the thrilling victory. Having now recovered from an ACL injury sustained in June last year, the coaching group are excited to see what she will achieve when she makes her eagerly awaited return to the field.  

“To have Ayesha returning is special, she has worked hard for this opportunity. She is lethal both sides of the ball, and her experience and character really enhances our environment on and off the field. We look forward to seeing her get back out there.”

Also returning to the environment are props Kate Henwood and Marcelle Parkes, who missed last month’s O’Reilly Cup Test in Brisbane due to injury.

“Our wāhine have been working hard, so this selection has been tough. We have seen a real competitive edge within the environment which has attributed to growth we are seeing in the group. 
 
“This tour presents an awesome opportunity for our wāhine to face the best. The spectacle of playing at Twickenham, and the experience we gain from WXV 1, play an important role in our build up for next year’s Rugby World Cup,” said Bunting.
 
The Black Ferns depart for England on Friday 6 September, before taking the field for their first Test of the tour against England at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday 15 September (NZT), before embarking on the second edition of the annual WXV1 Tournament in Vancouver, Canada.   

Black Ferns End of Year Tour Schedule (New Zealand times and dates listed)
England Test
Black Ferns v England, 15 September, 2.00am, Twickenham Stadium, LONDON. 

WXV 1 Tournament
Black Ferns v Ireland, Monday 30 September, 3.00pm, BC Place, VANCOUVER.
Black Ferns v England, Monday 7 October, 9.00am, Langley Event Centre, LANGLEY.
Black Ferns v France, Sunday 13 October, 11.45am, BC Place, VANCOUVER.