Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup named
The Black Ferns squad for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) has been named today by Head Coach Glenn Moore.
The 28-strong squad will travel to Ireland on 1 August in their bid to win the four-yearly tournament in Dublin and Belfast.
The team is (with the province and Test caps):
FORWARDS | ||
Aldora Itunu | Auckland | 11 |
Toka Natua | Waikato | 11 |
Aleisha Nelson | Auckland | 23 |
Sosoli Talawadua | Waikato | 3 |
Fiao’o Faamausili – captain | Auckland | 47 |
Becky Wood | North Harbour | 2 |
Charmaine Smith | North Harbour | 11 |
Eloise Blackwell | Auckland | 27 |
Charmaine McMenamin | Auckland | 9 |
Les Ketu | Bay of Plenty | 5 |
Linda Itunu | Auckland | 33 |
Rawinia Everitt | Counties Manukau | 22 |
Sarah Goss | Manawatu | 5 |
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate | Counties Manukau | 15 |
Aroha Savage | Counties Manukau | 23 |
Aotearoa (Katie) Mata’u | Counties Manukau | 5 |
BACKS | ||
Stacey Waaka | Waikato | 6 |
Kelly Brazier | Otago | 32 |
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali | Counties Manukau | 14 |
Kendra Cocksedge | Canterbury | 37 |
Kristina Sue | Manawatu | 7 |
Hazel Tubic | Auckland | 10 |
Renee Wickliffe | Counties Manukau | 26 |
Portia Woodman | Counties Manukau | 11 |
Selica Winiata | Manawatu | 27 |
Carla Hohepa | Waikato | 14 |
Theresa Fitzpatrick | Auckland | 2 |
Chelsea Alley | North Harbour | 14 |
New Zealand Rugby Chair Brent Impey congratulated the players selected and said representing New Zealand in a World Cup was a momentous achievement for all those named.
“Pulling on the black jersey and wearing the fern is the ultimate goal for any New Zealand athlete, but to play in a World Cup is something few rugby players ever achieve. These women are at the top of their game, and whether it is their first World Cup or their third, it is always special. I congratulate them all on achieving selection.
“Today is the beginning of their journey and I know they will take with them to Ireland the best wishes and support from all of New Zealand. We wish them every success,” he said.
Coach Glenn Moore has picked a Black Ferns squad packed with experience, talent and pace.
He said June’s International Women’s Rugby Series against Canada, England, and Australia had provided the squad with much-needed international competition in preparation for the World Cup.
“We won two Tests and lost one. We were disappointed to lose to England, but now we know what we need to work on and where our strengths lie.
“Everyone who’s been selected today deserves their spot. We have the right combination of players, many with lots of experience to draw on. We know how tough the task ahead is and we are excited about the challenge.
“We take nothing for granted and the players have been training hard all year, and have continued to play club rugby since the June series finished to maintain match fitness.”
“We are determined to do our fans, families and our country proud.”
The Black Ferns are New Zealand’s most successful national rugby team, with four World Cup wins. In the 2014 tournament, the Black Ferns placed fifth.
2017 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP BLACK FERNS POOL MATCHES
Thursday, 10 August – Black Ferns v Wales (kick-off at 1.45 am NZT)
Sunday, 13 August – Black Ferns v Hong Kong (kick-off at 11 pm NZT)
Friday 18 August – Black Ferns v Canada (kick-off at 4.15 am NZT)
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