Auckland Storm team named for Womens Provincial Championship final
While the venue may not be familiar, playing rugby at this time of year certainly is for the Auckland Storm as their prepare for this weekend’s Women’s Provincial Championship final at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.
Progressing to their 14th consecutive final the Auckland women will face a highly-rated Waikato team in tomorrow’s match.
The final will be played at Yarrow Stadium as the curtain raiser to the ITM Cup final (kick off 4.35pm, live on Sky TV).
Coach Kallum Adams has named his strongest possible line up for the final, which features seven current Black Ferns.
“We’ve had a lot of niggles in the last month and our medical staff have worked wonders to have the team fit and ready to tomorrow,” said Adams.
The Storm hosted Waikato in Round Five and had their narrowest victory of the season at 21-3.
“Waikato are a very worthy opponent. They have improved a lot, their backs are very dangerous and they have a versatile forward pack.”
Sevens star Honey Hireme along with Stacey Waaka and Chealsea Alley will be three of the Waikato backs that the Storm will look to contain.
“We will need to play a tight game tomorrow but on the other hand, our backs know if they have the opportunity to have a crack,” said Adams.
The Storm have had a major focus on defence this season and have conceded on average just eight points a match, Adams said this will again be the key tomorrow.
While a new group of young players has reinvigorated the team in 2014, Adams said it is his experienced players that will need to step up tomorrow.
“We have had a number of new, young faces in the side this year that has added a bit of spark and challenged some of the more experienced players in the team. Tomorrow though it will be those players, the Black Ferns girls that will need to take control and make the right decisions.”
The final will be broadcast live on Sky, kick off 4.35pm
Storm team to play Waikato in the WPC final;
1. Aldora Itunu
2. Fiao’o Fa’amausili
3. Aleisha Nelson
4. Eloise Blackwell
5. Charlene Halapua
6. Lydia Crossman (c)
7. Linda Itunu
8. Justine Lavea
9. Emma Jensen
10. Ruahei Demant
11. Shannon Leota
12. Charmaine McMenamin
13. Theresa Fitzpatrick
14. Mele Hufanga
15. Marina Apfel
16. Aimee Lenssen
17. Leilani Perese
18. Charlotte Scanlan
19. Roseanne Cox
20. Aeron Warbrooke
21. Onjeurlina Leiataua
22. Brittany Coates
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