2018 Black Ferns
-
World Rugby considering Rugby Championship-style women's competition
World Rugby is hoping to build a Rugby Championship-style competition for women sooner rather than later, according to women’s rugby boss Katie Sadleir. Northern Hemisphere nations play a women’s Six Nations tournament annually but Southern Hemisphere teams have lacked regular Tests in the past, with Australia and New Zealand the only regular XVs programs down under. The biggest difficulty for Australia and New Zealand is their distance from the Six Nations countries, often making the cost of travelling north for matches outside of World Cups prohibitive. It would be unlikely for the Southern Hemisphere to exactly replicate its Rugby Championship for women, with South Africa and Argentina having little presence when it comes to Women’s XVs, but World Rugby is looking at options to introduce a regular competition similar to the Six Nations. The notion of an annual competition in the Oceania region is something World Rugby is looking at seriously, especially with New Zealand and Australia bidding for the next Women’s Rugby World Cup.“We've got six regions but we’re also looking at the potential for cross-regional competitions and I know that New Zealand has been having conversations with Australia. “They've been having conversations with other teams in the Northern Hemisphere to see what is possible and World rugby is keen to support those initiatives.” Australia has been vocal about its need for more Tests with Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor hoping for a five-Test schedule in 2019. World Rugby has delved into some reserve funding as it looks to help the women’s game grow across the globe. “There has been no competition (in the Southern Hemisphere) so we’re picking up the international competition calendar and sitting down with the top unions and saying, ‘What makes sense here?’.
The Southern Hemisphere is set to host its first Women's Rugby World Cup in 2021 with Australia and New Zealand both bidding for the tournament. .. .. "I've had a look at both bids. There's a New Zealand and Australia bid -they're both very impressive. "I'm particularly interested in the impact beyond and I think the things that both of the bids are trying to do are really good in terms of developing rugby within the union but also looking at the wider Asia-Pacific region, so fantastic. "The decision's made by Council. Our role is just to evaluate information and make sure they've got the information presented to them in an objective way." The World Rugby Council will announce the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup host on November 14 after its final meetings of the year in Dublin. -
Black Ferns squad for the EOYT to the USA and France:
FORWARDS
Eloise Blackwell (34) (Auckland)
Les Elder (nee Ketu) (11) (Bay of Plenty)
Fiao'o Faamausili (54) (captain) (Auckland)
Aldora Itunu (17) (Auckland)
Linda Itunu (37) (Auckland)
Pip Love (4) (Canterbury)
Charmaine McMenamin (16) (Auckland)
Aleisha Nelson (26) (Auckland)
Joanah Ngan-Woo* (Wellington)
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (22) (Counties Manukau)
Marcelle Parkes* (Wellington)
Jackie Patea-Fereti (14) (Wellington)
Leilani Perese (2) (Counties Manukau)
Aroha Savage (30) (Counties Manukau)
Charmaine Smith (18) (Auckland)
Cristo Tofa (2) (North Harbour)BACKS
Chelsea Alley (17) (Waikato)
Kendra Cocksedge (44) (vc) (Canterbury)
Krysten Cottrell (2) (Hawke's Bay)
Kiritapu Demant (2) (Auckland)
Ruahei Demant (2) (Auckland)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga* (Wellington)
Kilisitina Moata’ane* (Otago)
Natahlia Moors* (Auckland)
Kristina Sue (12) (Manawatu)
Monica Tagoai* (Wellington)
Stacey Waaka (13) (Waikato)
Renee Wickliffe (32) (Bay of Plenty)
Selica Winiata (33) (vc) (Manawatu)Exciting young backs Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Wellington), Kilisitina Moata’ane (Otago) and Natahlia Moors (Auckland) received the call-up from Moore following stellar Farah Palmer Cup seasons. Moore said the trio possessed everything a coach wanted in a back; explosive speed, tenacity and great footwork. “They’ve all stood out in the FPC and all three players deserve their selection. This trio will add a lot of firepower to our backline and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve in the Black Ferns environment.”Also in line to make their Black Fern debut are Joanah Ngan-Woo, Marcelle Parkes and Monica Tagoai who were all part of the squad for the two-Test series against Australia. Black Ferns Sevens players Theresa Fitzpatrick and Alena Saili were unavailable for selection due to Black Ferns Sevens commitments, but Stacey Waaka was included in Moore’s 15s team as a utility back.Aside from the newcomers, Moore and his selectors have retained the players who were part of the squad who successfully retained the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy in their August Tests against Australia.http://www.allblacks.com/News/33272/black-ferns-squad-for-november-tests-named
-
According to the Rugby Australia website, when the All Blacks play the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup in Perth next year, it will be another double header with the Black Ferns playing the Wallaroos again. It's not only the first time a Bledisloe Cup test will be played in Perth, but also the first time the Wallaroos play in Western Australia.
-
Black Ferns squad to take on the USA (Sun, 6.00am NZT - Sky Sport 1):
1 Phillipa Love (4)
2 Fiao'o Faamausili (54, captain)
3 Aldora Itunu (17)
4 Eloise Blackwell (34)
5 Charmaine Smith (18)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (16)
7 Les Elder (11)
8 Aroha Savage (30)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (44, vc)
10 Ruahei Demant (2)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga *
12 Chelsea Alley (17)
13 Stacey Waaka (13)
14 Renee Wickliffe (32)
15 Selica Winiata (33)16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (22)
17 Leilani Perese (2)
18 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (26)
19 Jackie Patea-Fereti (14)
20 Linda Itunu (37)
21 Kristina Sue (12)
22 Krysten Cottrell (2)
23 Monica Tagoai*The team features the starting selection of Wellington speedster Ayesha Leti-I'iga to the left wing. The 19-year-old is enjoying a remarkable ride in rugby, named in Glenn Moore’s squad after she was crowned Wellington’s women’s club player of the year. The teenager scored 41 tries in just 13 matches this year, including a hat-trick on nine occasions. She debuts on the left wing, with the experienced and wise Renee Wickliffe keeping an eye on her from the right wing. Moore said Leti-I'iga had been on Black Ferns' selectors' radar for the last couple of years and was now beginning to mature and grow. "Ayesha is the highest try scorer in the Farah Palmer Cup and also in club rugby in New Zealand..
Strong looking squad, although I must admit I haven't seen the newbies play, so I don't know them.
http://www.allblacks.com/News/33376/black-ferns-named-for-historic-usa-test
-
41 tries in 13 matches is remarkable
