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Sevens stars and Aupiki rookies selected for Black Ferns training camp
By Ned Lester
Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting has named a 49-strong squad for the team’s first training camp of the year, including some notable new additions.
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Black Ferns Sevens stars Dhys Faleafaga, Jorja Miller, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Alena Saili, Theresa Setefano, Kelsey Teneti and Stacey Waaka have all made the cut.
That contingent will be joined by teenage sensations in Taufa Bason and Braxton Sorensen-McGee, while rugby icon Portia Woodman-Wickliffe also joins the team after backflipping on her international retirement this week.
“Firstly, on behalf of New Zealand Rugby (NZR), I’d like to congratulate each player and their wh?nau on their selection into our first training camp of the year. The decisions have come from a combination of previous Black Ferns experience and outstanding performances across Sky Super Rugby Aupiki in their respective teams,” Bunting said.
“We are looking forward to bringing this very talented group together. It is important for us to build connections and lay down the foundations. It is great to have experienced and new talent with key attributes that we know will drive connection, competition and growth in our environment. We are excited to get going on the first part of our World Cup journey. We believe this group of w?hine toa can really go to the next level.”
Kelsey Teneti, Jaymie Kolose, Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, and Risi Pouri-Lane will each filter into the Black Ferns environment after competing at the Los Angeles SVNS, which takes place on May 3-4.
The Pacific Four Series squad and the Black Ferns contracted group will be named on May 1st.
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The Black Ferns open their international season against Australia on May 10.
Black Ferns training camp squad
Mia Anderson (Chiefs, Waikato)
Taufa Bason (Blues, Manawat?)
Laura Bayfield (Matat?, Canterbury)
Ariana Bayler (Chiefs, Waikato)
Kelly Brazier (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Chelsea Bremner (Matat?, Canterbury)
Alana Bremner (Matat?, Canterbury)
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (Blues, Auckland)
Luka Connor (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Ruahei Demant (Blues, Auckland)
Amy du Plessis (Matat?, Canterbury)
Dhys Faleafaga (Black Ferns Sevens)
Vici-Rose Green (Chiefs, Waikato)
Kate Henwood (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Iritana Hohaia (Hurricanes, Taranaki)
Renee Holmes (Chiefs, Waikato)
Maia Joseph (Matat?, Otago)
Tanya Kalounivale (Chiefs, Waikato)
Jaymie Kolose (Blues, Counties Manukau)
Hannah King (Matat?, Canterbury)
Ayesha Leti-l’iga (Hurricanes, Wellington)
Atlanta Lolohea (Blues, Canterbury)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (Chiefs, Waikato)
Holly-Rae Mete (Matat?, Manawat?)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Blues, Auckland)
Jorja Miller (Black Ferns Sevens)
Krystal Murray (Chiefs, Northland)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Matat?, Manawat?)
Marcelle Parkes (Matat?, Canterbury)
Mererangi Paul (Chiefs, Counties Manukau)
Georgia Ponsonby (Matat?, Canterbury)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Black Ferns Sevens)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Blues, Auckland)
Amy Rule (Matat?, Canterbury)
Layla Sae (Hurricanes, Manawat?)
Alena Saili (Black Ferns Sevens)
Theresa Setefano (Black Ferns Sevens)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (Blues, Auckland)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Blues, Waikato)
Santo Taumata (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Kelsey Teneti (Black Ferns Sevens)
Ruby Tui (Chiefs, Counties Manukau)
Kennedy Tukuafu (Chiefs, Waikato)
Tara Turner (Blues, Northland)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues, Auckland)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (Blues, Auckland)
Chryss Viliko (Blues, Auckland)
Stacey Waaka (Black Ferns Sevens)
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Blues)
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What a star filled line up!