Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup named

Jul 5 • General News, International • 1175 Views • Comments Off on 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)