5 Jul 2017

Black Ferns World Cup squad named

1:07 pm on 5 July 2017

Coach Glenn Moore has gone with experience in his Black Ferns squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili

Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili Photo: Photosport

The 28-strong squad will travel to Ireland on 1 August in their bid to win the four-yearly tournament in Dublin and Belfast.

Captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili is the most experienced player in the squad with 47 caps to her name.

The squad also features experienced Canterbury halfback Kendra Coxedge and explosive Counties Manukau backs Portia Woodman and Selica Winiata.

Moore 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 for 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," Moore said.

The Black Ferns kick off their world cup campaign on 10th August against Wales.

The team is (with province and Test caps):

FORWARDS

Aldora Itunu Auckland 11

Toka Natua Waikato 11

Aleisha Nelson Auckland 23

Sosoli Talawadua Waikato 3

Fiao'o Fa'amausili - 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

- RNZ