BLACK FERNS SELECT THREE UNCAPPED PLAYERS FOR PACIFIC FOUR SERIES

Rising halves Hannah King and Maia Joseph and lock Maama Vaipulu are all in line to play their first Black Ferns tests after the trio were named in the sides first squad of the year.  

Vaipulu was a stand-out for the Blues during the Super Rugby Aupiki season, while Matatū halfback Maia Joseph and Hurricanes Poua first five-eighth Hannah King were some of the best emerging talents from the competition.   

Powerful Blues tighthead prop also Aldora Itunu earns her first Black Ferns call up since 2021, while converted Matatū loosehead prop Marcelle Parkes and tenacious Hurricanes Poua midfielder Monica Tagoai return for the first time since 2019 and 2018 respectively.   

The most notable omission is experienced lock Chelsea Bremner. The World Cup-winning and Chiefs Manawa lock who was included among a 40-strong group of contracted players but hasn't made the final squad.  

Black Ferns Coach Allan Bunting has instead named Bremner's younger sister Alana among his contingent of four locks.  

Chiefs loose forward Kennedy Simon and Blues' first five Ruahei Demant will continue as co-captains.   

Bunting said the intense nature of the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition has made for a competitive selection process.  

"We are hugely excited by the squad we have selected for the Pacific Four series. We have seen these players perform strongly during Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and their selection is credit to their consistent form across the competitive season," said Bunting.   

"This series is extremely important for us, not only to provide an opportunity to expose our new players to the international stage, but to seek qualification up for the WXV1 tournament at the end of the year."  

The Black Ferns open their 2024 season on home soil, when they take on USA at FMG Stadium Waikato, in the first Test of the Pacific Four Series.   

The Test match will be the first of three, with the remaining two Tests taking place in Christchurch and Auckland, which doubles as the O'Reilly Cup. 

"We are looking forward to the upcoming months. To have the opportunity for our whānau and fans to see the team is special," said Bunting.  

We are excited about the challenge that lies ahead for us, and we feel the support of Aotearoa when they are cheering us on."   

Black Ferns Squad:   

Backs: Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Mererangi Paul, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Patricia Maliepo, Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Grace Steinmetz, Monica Tagoai, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Hannah King, Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph  

Forwards: Kennedy Simon co-capt), Layla Sae, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Charmaine Smith, Maama Vaipulu, Alana Bremner, Kate Henwood, Chryss Viliko, Marcelle Parkes, Tanya Kalounivale, Amy Rule, Aldora Itunu, Luka Connor, Georgia Ponsonby, Leaso Grace Gago Tiatia.

2024-04-30T21:04:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd