New Zealand’s bid to win Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 has begun with the announcement of the wider Black Ferns training squad by coach Glenn Moore.
The 56 players will be part of a 12-month high performance training programme in 2016, focused on strength and conditioning and building technical and tactical skills.
New Zealand failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time at WRWC 2014 in France, ending their hold on the trophy they had first won in 1998 and successfully defended three times.
“We’ll be announcing our test programme for 2016 soon and all these women have the opportunity to be part of the Black Ferns,” explained Moore.
“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.
“We’ve just had a very competitive Women’s Provincial Championship season and we want to continue the momentum.”
The squad features 18 current Black Ferns including World Rugby Women’s Rugby Player of the Year 2015 Kendra Cocksedge and captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili (pictured).
"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 coaching staff has also been confirmed with Wesley Clarke again the assistant forwards coach with Grant Keenan appointed as assistant backs coach for the first time. Keenan is currently coach of New Zealand Heartland XV and Mid Canterbury.
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,” Sexton said.
“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.”
New Zealand training squad
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).
Backs: Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Kiritapu Demant (Auckland), Emma Jensen (Auckland), Arihana Marino (Counties Manukau), Ariana Bayler (Waikato), Raquel Anderson (Waikato), Ruahei Demant (Auckland), Lizzie Goulden (Wellington), Victoria Subritzky Nafatali (Counties Manukau), Janna Vaughn (Manawatu), Shakira Baker (Waikato), Chelsea Alley (North Harbour), Amanda Rasch (Wellington), Onjeurlina Leiataua (Auckland), Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland), Georgia Daals (Wellington), Keri Hayden (Manawatu), Greer Muir (Otago), Lucy Anderson (Canterbury), Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau), Mele Hufanga (Auckland), Ayesha Leti-Liga (Wellington), Lauren Balsillie (Manawatu), Ana Masters (Waikato), Crystal Mayes (Manawatu), Huia Harding (Waikato).