The Black Ferns contracted squad for 2019 has been named with four newly contracted players making up the final 29-man squad.
Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore has retained most of his experienced players to play along side newbies Bay of Plenty’s Luka Connor and Karli Faneva, Counties Manukau’s Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Auckland’s Natahlia Moors
“We’re confident we have the mix right. We’re in the fortunate position of being able to draw on the experience and skill of seasoned players like Kendra Cocksedge, Selica Winiata and Eloise Blackwell and pair them with new talent, like Luka Connor and Karli Faneva"
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Moore said all four of the newly contracted players impressed selectors with not only their performances in the Farah Palmer Cup last year, but also their determination to keep striving and improving outside of the provincial competition.
“Arihiana was named in the Black Ferns in 2015 but is yet to be capped. Her contract is a testament to her strength of character and work ethic to keep chasing her black jersey dream.
The Black Ferns will play two Test matches against Australia on 10 August in Perth, Australia and on 17 August in Auckland. Both matches will be double header fixtures with the All Blacks and Australia contesting the Bledisloe Cup.
The 2019 Black Ferns contracted squad is (* Denotes first-time contracts):
Forwards:
Eloise Blackwell |
Auckland |
Luka Connor * |
Bay of Plenty |
Lesley Elder |
Bay of Plenty |
Karli Faneva * |
Bay of Plenty |
Aldora Itunu |
Auckland |
Phillipa Love |
Canterbury |
Charmaine McMenamin |
Auckland |
Toka Natua |
Waikato |
Aleisha Nelson |
Auckland |
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate |
Counties Manukau |
Marcelle Parkes |
Wellington |
Jackie Patea-Fereti |
Wellington |
Leilani Perese |
Counties Manukau |
Charmaine Smith |
Auckland |
Harono Te Iringa |
Counties Manukau |
Cristo Tofa |
North Harbour |
Backs:
Chelsea Alley |
Waikato |
Grace Brooker |
Canterbury |
Kendra Cocksedge |
Canterbury |
Krysten Cottrell |
Hawke's Bay |
Ruahei Demant |
Auckland |
Dhys Faleafaga |
Wellington |
Ayesha Leti-I’iga |
Wellington |
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu * |
Counties Manukau |
Kilisitina Moata'ane |
Otago |
Natahlia Moors * |
Auckland |
Monica Tagoai |
Wellington |
Renee Wickliffe |
Bay of Plenty |
Selica Winiata |
Manawatu |