Six debutants in Black Ferns team

Mererangi Paul.
Photo: Jeremy Ward

Six players will make their Black Ferns debuts in Thursday night’s O’Reilly Cup clash with Australia in Brisbane.

Bay of Plenty loosehead prop Kate Henwood, former New Zealand Rugby League player Katelyn Vahaakolo and Chiefs Manawa wing Mererangi Paul have been named in the starting XV.

Vahaakolo will become a dual international.

Hurricanes Poua halfback Iritana Hohaia, Matatu first-five Rosie Kelly and Black Ferns Sevens player Tenika Willison are also in-line to make their debuts off the bench.

The Black Ferns head coach Allan Bunting says the debutants had earned their selection.

“Each of these ladies have been impressive on and off the field and now have the opportunity to represent their country, it will be a special occasion for them and their whānau and one they should be proud of. We are all excited for them and looking forward seeing how they go.”

iritana Hohaia
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Henwood is in the front row alongside starting hooker Georgia Ponsonby and tighthead Tanya Kalounivale.

Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Chelsea Bremner are at lock rounding out the tight five.

Alana Bremner will start at blindside, with co-captain Kennedy Simon named at openside and Liana Mikaele Tu’u at No.8.

Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu is at halfback inside co-captain and first-five Ruahei Demant.

Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis make up the midfield with Vahaakolo and Paul on the wings and Renee Holmes at fullback.

A replacement front row of Luka Connor, Krystal Murray and Amy Rule will be on the bench.

Joanah Ngan Woo is the back up lock Kendra Reynolds the loose forward cover.

The reserve backs are Hohaia, Kelly and Willison.

Bunting believes the fresh looking 23 selected are energised to kick-off their first test of the year.

“Although our time together has been short in my eyes, we have maximised our connection and foundations for our game this year and we are looking forward to seeing how we shape up for this week’s Test against the Wallaroos.

“It marks a new dawn for the Black Ferns as we not only kick off our 2023 campaign but begin building to the next Rugby World Cup. Our coaching team have selected an exciting team, that we believe can go out there and play our style of game with freedom.”

The team is;

1. Kate Henwood*

2. Georgia Ponsonby (13)

3. Tanya Kalounivale (6)

4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (14)

5. Chelsea Bremner (12)

6. Alana Bremner (13)

7. Kennedy Simon (13) (Co-Captain)

8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (11)

9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (12)

10. Ruahei Demant (26) (Co-Captain)

11. Katelyn Vahaakolo*

12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt (7)

13. Amy du Plessis (7)

14. Mererangi Paul*

15. Renee Holmes (10)

16. Luka Connor (14)

17. Krystal Murray (9)

18. Amy Rule (12)

19. Joanah Ngan Woo (17)

20. Kendra Reynolds (13)

21. Iritana Hohaia*

22. Rosie Kelly*

23. Tenika Willison*

*Denotes Black Ferns debut.