Gisborne trio selected by almanac

KAIPO OLSEN-BAKER (centre, facing the camera)./

Three Gisborne rugby players have been named in the New Zealand women's team of the year in the 2021 Rugby Almanack.

Renee Holmes and Kaipo Olsen-Baker were named in the team by authors Clive Akers, Adrian Hill and Campbell Burnes, with Charmaine McMenamin named in the reserves.

The New Zealand Rugby Almanack is the longest-running rugby book of record, with an 85-year history of recording the first-class game in New Zealand. Akers has edited the Almanack since 1995, and it's been published uninterrupted since 1935, with two combined issues during World War 2.

Olsen-Baker was also named the “promising player of the year” after a strong season at No.8 for the Manawatu Turbos. She was named in the Probables team for the Black Ferns trial and made the New Zealand Barbarians side.

McMenamin is the only player of the trio to have played for the Black Ferns, but with the recent form and accolades that Holmes and Olsen-Baker have received, it seems only a matter of time before they, too, make an appearance in the black jersey.

Holmes, a utility back who plays for Waikato, has had an incredible run into contention after returning early last year from Japan.

She had been scheduled to play in their sevens competition, but had to return home and instead played in New Zealand's Farah Palmer Cup competition.

The decision to return in the midst of a pandemic paid off for Holmes, who quickly caught the attention of selectors and fans alike with her dynamic skills on and off the ball.

Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Stacey Fluhler, Chelsea Alley, Hazel Tubic, Kendra Cocksedge, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Simon, Cindy Nelles, Chelsea Bremner, Alana Bremner (captain), Toka Natua, Rebecca Todd, Krystal Murray.

Luka Connor, Phillipa Love, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Charmaine McMenamin, Aroha Savage, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker.

Stacey Fluhler

Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Samuel Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.

Ash Dixon, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ngafasi, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, Folau Fakatava, Beauden Barrett, David Havili.

Lachlan Boshier, Caleb Clarke, Ash Dixon, Richie Mo'unga and Aaron Smith.

Chay Fihaki, Cullen Grace, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Xavier Roe and Tyrone Thompson.