Waikite player Luka Connor has been named in the Black Ferns wider squad along with fellow Rotorua player Hana Tapiata. Photo/File
Waikite player Luka Connor has been named in the Black Ferns wider squad along with fellow Rotorua player Hana Tapiata. Photo/File
Two Rotorua players have been named in the wider Black Ferns training squad for 2016.
Waikite's Luka Connor and Ngongotaha's Hana Tapiata are among the 56 players who will be a part of a 12-month high performance training programme for 2016, focused on strength and conditioning, and building technical andtactical skills.
Another Bay of Plenty player, Mikyla Wardlaw, has also made the squad.
Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore said he and his coaching and management team are looking ahead to the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2017 in naming a wider squad.
"We'll be announcing our Test programme for 2016 soon and all these women have the opportunity to be part of the Black Ferns."
"We have our eyes on the prize - the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017. The campaign to once again be world champions has begun. The players are hungry for it and we will make sure the World Cup team represents the best players in New Zealand," he said.
The coaching staff has also been confirmed.
Hana Tapiata
The assistant forwards coach is once again Wesley Clarke and Grant Keenan has been appointed as assistant backs coach for the first time.
Keenan is currently coach of New Zealand Heartland XV and Mid Canterbury. He was also the coach of Auckland B from 2011-2012 and coached professionally in Japan for Toyota from 2007 to 2011.
New Zealand Rugby's Head of Women's Rugby Development, Cate Sexton, said the experience within the coaching and management team and depth of player talent was indicative of the increased interest and resources for women's rugby at all levels.
"Naming 56 players from around New Zealand who have a shot at the black jersey shows how much talent is out there. We really want to develop that talent and make sure when we select the squad for our Test series and later the Women's Rugby World Cup that we have the best of the best," she said.
Forwards: Toka Natua - Waikato Hinewai Pomare - Counties Manukau Moana Aiatu - Wellington Luka Connor - Bay of Plenty Jessie Hansen - Canterbury Sosoli Talawadua - Waikato Fiao'o Fa'amausili - Auckland Te Kura Ngata - Counties Manukau Rebekah Tufuga - Manawatu Teresa Te Tamaki - Waikato Aleisha Nelson - Auckland Aldora Itunu - Auckland Katie Mailata - Counties Manukau Steph Te Ohaere Fox - Canterbury Elosie Blackwell - Auckland Charmaine Smith - North Harbour Sanita Levave - Wellington Rawinia Everitt - Counties Manukau Charmaine McMenamin - Auckland Aroha Savage - Counties Manukau Charlene Halapua - Auckland Hana Tapiata - Bay of Plenty Mikyla Wardlaw - Bay of Plenty Justine Lavea - Counties Manukau Sharnita Woodman - Counties Manukau Lydia Crossman - Auckland Aimee Sutorius - Wellington Linda Itunu - Auckland Angie Sisifa - Otago Jackie Patea - Wellington
