Black Ferns hooker Georgia Ponsonby gets eligibility exemption; eight uncapped players in Pacific Four squad

Black Ferns Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and Georgia Ponsonby have both been playing in the English PWR competition. Photo / Getty Images

New faces in the coaching staff, new faces in the playing ranks.

The first Black Ferns squad selected by Whitney Hansen sees eight uncapped players get their opportunity to make a mark at test level in next month’s Pacific Four Series.

The series will also see players who are currently plying their trade in England return to test rugby, with co-captain Ruahei Demant (Bristol Bears), prop Tanya Kalounivale (Ealing Trailfinders), hooker Georgia Ponsonby (Ealing), lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Ealing) and loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Harlequins) all included.

Ponsonby, who is contracted with Ealing until the end of the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season, has been granted an eligibility exemption by the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board due to injuries in her position.

The 37-test veteran was one of three hookers named in the squad, alongside Atlanta Lolohea (10 tests) and Vici-Rose Green (five). Of the four players unavailable for selection, Luka Connor (knee) was the only hooker listed.

While the PWR season runs through until late June, there is a two-month break between rounds 16 and 17. The Trailfinders play on March 30, then will not play again until May 30.

Ponsonby has signed an interim contract with NZR for the Pacific Four tournament. The other four English-based Black Ferns named were playing in the PWR as injury replacements and were still contracted with NZR.

“We’re excited to begin our year of an 11-test calendar, the most-ever games yet for our Black Ferns. PAC4 is a great starting point and provides us with a chance to go and test our game against some of the best in the world,” Hansen said.

Props Maddison Robinson and Mo’omo’oga Palu, loose forwards Mia Anderson and Taufa Bason, halfback Tara Turner, midfielder Hollyrae Mete-Renata and outside backs Justine McGregor and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a are the new faces in the 30-strong squad.

Hansen said the Pacific Four Series was an opportunity to showcase new talent and measure performance.

“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate those who have been selected in the Black Ferns for the first time and their whānau.

“The past few months have been highly competitive in camp, and this is a testament to all the work they’ve put in throughout the women’s rugby pathway to get to this moment.

“We’ve got a great mix of experience in this squad, and we can’t wait for our fresh talent to experience their first Black Ferns test environment.”

The tournament gets underway with a clash against the USA on April 12 (NZ time) in California, they then play Canada (April 18) in Missouri before returning downunder to meet Australia (April 25) on the Sunshine Coast.

Black Ferns 30-strong squad for the Pacific Four Series

Loosehead props

Maddison Robinson (24, Canterbury, uncapped)

Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (28, Waikato, 10 tests)

Chryss Viliko (25, Auckland, 19 tests)

Hookers

Vici-Rose Green (23, Waikato, 5 tests)

Atlanta Lolohea (22, Canterbury, 10 tests)

Georgia Ponsonby (26, Canterbury, 37 tests)

Tighthead props

Tanya Kalounivale (27, Waikato, 27 tests)

Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (21, Waikato, 3 tests)

Mo’omo’oga Palu (24, Hawke’s Bay, uncapped)

Locks

Laura Bayfield (27, Canterbury, 6 tests)

Chelsea Bremner (30, Canterbury, 24 tests)

Maiakawanakaulani Roos (24, Auckland, 38 tests)

Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (23, Auckland, 7 tests)

Loose forwards

Mia Anderson (24, Waikato, uncapped)

Taufa Bason (19, Manawatū, uncapped)

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (24, Auckland, 35 tests)

Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Manawatū, 16 tests)

Kennedy Tukuafu (29, Waikato, 34 tests) – co-captain

Halfbacks

Maia Joseph (23, Otago, 16 tests)

Tara Turner (22, Northland, uncapped)

First-fives

Ruahei Demant (30, Auckland, 51 tests) – co-captain

Hannah King (22, Canterbury, 10 tests)

Midfield

Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (22, Auckland, 29 tests)

Amy Du Plessis (26, Canterbury, 22 tests)

Hollyrae Mete-Renata (22, Manawatū, uncapped)

Outside backs

Renee Holmes (26, Waikato, 29 tests)

Ayesha Leti-I’iga (27, Wellington, 30 tests)

Justine McGregor (19, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)

Mererangi Paul (27, Counties Manukau, 14 tests)

Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (19, Waikato, uncapped)

Unavailable for selection: Luka Connor (knee), Kaea Nepia (leg), Layla Sae (knee), Santo Taumata (knee).

Wider training group remaining in camp: Ariana Bayler, Leilani Hakiwai, Marcelle Parkes, Elinor-Plum King, Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono, Sam Taylor, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg.