2018 Black Ferns
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Black Ferns contracted squad named in historic announcement Twenty eight of New Zealand’s top female rugby players have become the first-ever 15s players to be offered Black Ferns contracts, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced today. The 2018 Black Ferns contracted squad is: Backs: Chelsea Alley - Waikato Ariana Bayler - Waikato Grace Brooker - Canterbury Kendra Cocksedge - Canterbury Krysten Cottrell - Hawke's Bay Ruahei Demant - Auckland Dhys Faleafaga - Wellington Kilistina Moata'ane - Otago Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali - Counties Manukau Kristina Sue - Manawatu Renee Wickliffe - Bay of Plenty Selica Winiata - ManawatuForwards: Eloise Blackwell - Auckland Les Elder (nee Ketu) - Bay of Plenty Fiao'o Faamausili - Auckland Harono Iringa - Counties Manukau Aldora Itunu - Auckland Linda Itunu - Auckland Pip Love - Canterbury Charmaine McMenamin - Auckland Toka Natua - Waikato Joanah Ngan Woo - Wellington Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate - Counties Manukau Aleisha Nelson - Auckland Marcelle Parkes - Wellington Leilani Perese - Counties Manukau Aroha Savage - Counties Manukau Charmaine Smith - Auckland The 28 contracted players include 17 Black Ferns from the 2017 World Cup winning side. Among them is legendary hooker and 2017 World Cup winning captain Fiao’o Faamausili who has put her retirement from international rugby on hold.Moore said the 28 players announced today weren’t necessarily guaranteed a spot in the 2018 Black Ferns team and they would need to continue to work hard in their club teams and provinces to be considered for the black jersey. “We have a Black Ferns training camp in mid-June when we’ll get a much better idea of how everyone is tracking. There’s also the possibility we’ll offer a contract to players outside of the initial contracted squad.” Moore said there were two more contracted positions to be filled. A further 20 women will be identified to make up a wider training squad. The non-contracted players will be part of a high-performance training programme designed to identify and develop the best female rugby talent."These contracted players will receive a guaranteed retainer to train, assembly fees when they come together for Black Ferns camps and the medical and technical services they need as elite athletes.” Sexton said girls and women were signing up to play in record numbers all around the country and it was the fastest growing area of rugby. “It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby and I’m very proud we’ve taken the step forward to contract our female 15s players along with our sevens squad.”About the contracts * Guaranteed retainer for one year (NB the Memorandum of Understanding with NZRPA is due for renegotiation in 2019) * Assembly fees if selected for Black Ferns training camps and fixtures (approximately 50 days/year in total) * Medical and life insurance, an opportunity to join the Player Savings Scheme and KiwiSaver * Technical, tactical, biomechanical, strength and conditioning programming, nutritional advice, medical and sports psychological support * 10-14 hours per week commitment required for rugby training however, priority will be given to ensuring players can maintain their work and study while on the programme * Personal Development to assist in areas of career/education and work, finance and asset protection, character development, mental wellness and other professional rugby obligations and expectations * A Personal Development Manager will be allocated specifically to support the Black Ferns * Parental Policy for players returning to the programme from maternity leave * Remuneration for the players paid out of the Player Payment Pool agreed between NZR and the NZRPA under the existing Collective Employment Agreement (CEA)http://www.allblacks.com/News/32459/black-ferns-contracted-squad-named-in-historic-announcement
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Black Ferns to be honoured with Test capping
The team who took home the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup will be among the first Black Ferns to receive their caps at a special reunion event, on the 20th anniversary year of their victory in Amsterdam. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) today announced a project to officially cap all Black Ferns who have played in sanctioned Test matches in a series of ceremonies and events which begin this month. NZR Chief Executive Officer Steve Tew said the capping project was an important part of recognising the achievements of the World Champion Black Ferns. “The planning that goes into official recognition of the Black Ferns has been in motion for some time now. Given this year marks the 20th anniversary of our first Women’s Rugby World Cup win in 1998, it seemed fitting to bring the players together and cap the team at a reunion dinner.” The reunion dinner on 8 June in Auckland will bring together 130 former Black Ferns stretching back to 1989 when the first official national women’s team played the visiting Pacific Coast Grizzlies at Christchurch’s Lancaster Park. Since then, 193 women have been selected as Black Ferns, with Canterbury’s Jacqui Apiata capped with number one and North Harbour’s Rebecca Wood the newest Black Fern from the 2017 squad. Tew said the reunion dinner promises to be a great evening, with a number of overseas-based players attending the event. “Wearing the black jersey and representing your country is a special moment for any New Zealand athlete. This is a rare opportunity for former teammates to get together, reminisce, and celebrate their success. It’s going to be a very special night and is another element of creating an ongoing legacy for the team.” About the capping project * Black Ferns who took the field in a sanctioned international Test match will receive a cap over the next three years. * 161 women to be capped over the next three years. * The caps are based on traditional rugby caps and feature the Black Ferns number, the silver fern and details of their Test debut. * 46 Black Ferns will be capped at the reunion dinner on June 8. * These include the 1998 Black Ferns, Black Ferns who have travelled from overseas to attend and the families of Black Ferns who have passed away. * Players who represented the Black Ferns in matches in 1989 and 1990 and went on to play official Test matches are also set to be capped at the reunion. * Further capping ceremonies will take place over the next three years to ensure all Black Ferns receive their caps.http://www.allblacks.com/News/32488/black-ferns-to-be-honoured-with-test-capping
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New Zealand Rugby has formally expressed an interest to World Rugby to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021. NZR Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said: “Women’s rugby is enjoying an amazing period of growth and strength both in New Zealand and internationally – and it made sense to express an interest in hosting this tournament. There is a lot more work to be done as we work through this process over the next couple of months.” The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 has attracted a record level of hosting interest after six unions formally confirmed an expression of interest to World Rugby by the 31 May deadline. Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Portugal and Wales all confirmed their intention to tender having reviewed World Rugby’s bid guide issued last month. The record level of hosting interest highlights the strength of the Women’s Rugby World Cup brand after a very special and record-breaking Ireland 2017 tournament and excitement surrounding a new tournament format. Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 was the best-attended, most-viewed and most socially-engaged ever, setting new standards for the tournament and extending the reach of the game around the world. The six unions have been issued with the bid documents and now have until 10 August 2018 to submit their bid responses. The World Rugby Council will select the Rugby World Cup 2021 host at its interim meeting in Dublin on 14 November 2018. -
Finally, the two November tests against France have been confirmed! That makes it a good number of test matches for the Black Ferns this year (5).
They'll also play a game of three halves against Bay of Plenty Volcanix and Auckland Storm in preparation of the two Australia tests in August.
Black Ferns schedule for 2018:
Game of Three Halves
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Saturday 11 August
V Bay of Plenty Volcanix and Auckland Storm
Kickoff: 12pm (NZT)Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Saturday 18 August
V Australia (With All Blacks v Australia)
Kickoff: 5.30pm (NZT)Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 25 August
V Australia (With All Blacks v Australia)
Kickoff: 5.00pm (NZT)Northern Tour
Test match 1:
Soldier Field, Chicago, USA
Saturday 3 November,
V USA (with Maori All Blacks v USA and Italy v Ireland)
Kickoff: 12pm (NZT)Test match 2:
Stade Felix Mayol, Toulon, France
Friday 9 November
V France
Kickoff: TBATest match 3:
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France
Saturday 17 November
V France
Kickoff: TBAhttp://www.allblacks.com/News/32676/black-ferns-announce-two-test-tour-of-france
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The Black Ferns squad for the August tests against Australia has been named (test caps in brackets, new caps in bold):
FORWARDS
Eloise Blackwell (32) - Auckland
Les Elder (nee Ketu) (9) - Bay of Plenty
Fiao'o Faamausili (52) (captain) - Auckland
Aldora Itunu (15) - Auckland
Linda Itunu (35) - Auckland
Pip Love (2) - Canterbury
Charmaine McMenamin (14) - Auckland
Aleisha Nelson (26) - Auckland
Joanah Ngan-Woo - Wellington
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (20) - Counties Manukau
Marcelle Parkes - Wellington
Jackie Patea-Fereti (12) - Wellington
Leilani Perese - Counties Manukau
Aroha Savage (28) - Counties Manukau
Charmaine Smith (16) - Auckland
Cristo Tofa - North HarbourBACKS
Chelsea Alley (15) - Waikato
Kendra Cocksedge (42) (vc) - Canterbury
Krysten Cottrell - Hawke's Bay
Kiritapu Demant (2) - Auckland
Ruahei Demant - Auckland
Theresa Fitzpatrick (7) - Auckland
Alena Saili - Southland
Kristina Sue (10) - Manawatu
Monica Tagoai - Wellington
Stacey Waaka (11) - Waikato
Renee Wickliffe (30) - Bay of Plenty
Selica Winiata (31) (vc) - Manawatu- Not considered due to injury: Toka Natua (Waikato), Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali (Counties Manukau).
Experienced captain Fiao’o Faamausili will lead an exciting young squad featuring eight new caps when the Black Ferns play Australia for the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy next month. Faamausili is the most-capped Black Fern (52) and is a five-time Women’s Rugby World Cup veteran. Selica Winiata (31) and Kendra Cocksedge(42) have been named as co-vice captains. Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore has ushered in four new backs and four new forwards to a 28-strong squad to play in matches that will anchor two huge double headers with the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia in Sydney and Auckland. The Black Ferns will get their first opportunity for a hit-out in a warm up Game of Three Halves against Bay of Plenty Volcanix and Auckland Storm in Tauranga next month. The new caps are Krysten Cottrell (Hawke’s Bay), Ruahei Demant (Auckland), Alena Saili (Southland), and Monica Tagoai (Wellington) in the backs, and Joanah Ngan-Woo, Marcelle Parkes (both Wellington), Leilani Perese (Counties Manukau) and Cristo Tofa (North Harbour) in the forwards.Parkes’ selection completes a meteoric rise for the 20-year-old. Parkes had already represented New Zealand in softball and netball before her impressive Sevens debut for Wellington led to her securing a Black Ferns contract earlier this year.The Demant siblings join the Itunu sisters (Aldora and Linda) in the line-up, and will be the fourth set of sisters to represent the Black Ferns.Moore and his selectors named two 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup players, in Stacey Waaka and Theresa Fitzpatrick, as well as Alena Saili, who is also currently contracted in the Black Ferns Sevens wider squad. Saili secured a sevens contract in her first year out of school and Moore said he was looking forward to seeing what impact she would have in the 15s. Moore said all three made themselves available for selection with the support of their Sevens coaches.“Black Ferns Sevens Head Coach Allan Bunting and I are in constant contact about the selection and availability of players and the athletes’ welfare is always paramount. It’s been a massive season for the Black Ferns Sevens, and they are already steadfastly focussed on the Tokyo Olympics. “Portia [Woodman], Sarah [Goss] and Kelly [Brazier] have decided to concentrate on their World Cup recovery and preparation for Tokyo for the time being and we all support what is best for them,” he said.http://www.allblacks.com/News/32702/black-ferns-squad-named-for-august-tests
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@machpants Haha, I hope it will be more central, so that more people will be able to watch the games. Obviously, you'd have to look at the size of the stadiums. Not too big, but decent size.
Whangarei, Mt Maunganui, Napier, Nelson, Christchurch would be the frontrunners, I think. Not sure they can sell out or sufficiently fill Eden Park, Waikato Stadium or Westpac; maybe for a final only.
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@machpants said in 2018 Black Ferns:
Looks like us Northlanders may get a fair bit of Black Ferns if we win the rights for the RWC: All in AKL or Whangarei - that'd be great!
Only if you like watching womens rugby
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Black Ferns squad for the first test for the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy against Australia (Saturday, 18 August, k/o 7.15pm, immediately preceeding Bledisloe I)
1 Phillipa Love (2)
2 Fiao'o Faamausili (52, captain)
3 Aldora Itunu (15)
4 Eloise Blackwell (32)
5 Charmaine Smith (16)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (14)
7 Les Elder (9)
8 Aroha Savage (28)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (42, co-vice captain)
10 Ruahei Demant *
11 Alena Saili *
12 Theresa Fitzpatrick (7)
13 Stacey Waaka (11)
14 Renee Wickliffe (30)
15 Selica Winiata (31, co-vice captain)Reserves
16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (19)
17 Cristo Tofa *
18 Leilani Perese *
19 Jackie Patea-Fereti (12)
20 Linda Itunu (34)
21 Kristina Sue (10)
22 Krysten Cottrell *
23 Chelsea Alley (15)Auckland first five Ruahei Demant and wing Alena Saili will make their Black Ferns debuts in Sydney on Saturday after being named to start the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney. Demant will wear the pivotal number 10 jersey after fighting her way back from several injuries in the past few years, in a Black Ferns squad that includes five new caps in the match day 23.Contracted Black Ferns Sevens player Saili, 19, gets her chance on the left wing two years after leaving Southland Girls High School, while three other players; Krysten Cottrell (Hawke’s Bay), Cristo Tofa (North Harbour) and Leilani Perese (Counties Manukau) are in line to make their Test debuts off the bench. Cottrell is a versatile back, and has previously won four national sevens titles with Manawatu, Perese a ball-carrying prop, and Tofa is also a front rower who has been plucked out of club rugby at the age of 30. “Cristo was selected for North Harbour’s FPC side last year and has gone from strength to strength. She can play in multiple positions in the team and is a really experienced rugby player,” Moore said. “Leilani is a very strong ball carrier and can play on both sides of the scrum. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact she will make.”http://www.allblacks.com/News/32852/five-debutants-named-in-black-ferns-team-to-play-australia
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Wallaroos to take on New Zealand
1 Emily Robinson, NSW, Warringah, 7 caps
2 Liz Patu, Queensland, Wests, 20 caps
3 Evelyn Horomia, NSW, Parramatta, 2 caps
4 Michelle Milward, ACT, Tuggeranong, 6 caps
5 Rebecca Clough, Western Australia, Cottesloe, 20 caps
6 Emily Chancellor*, NSW, Sydney University
7 Georgia O’Neill*, ACT, Uni Norths
8 Grace Hamilton, NSW, Sydney University, 9 caps
9 Cobie-Jane Morgan, NSW, Warringah, 16 caps
10 Trileen Pomare, Western Australia, Kalamunda, 5 caps
11 Samantha Treherne, Queensland, Sunnybank, 7 caps
12 Crystal Maguire*, NSW, Warringah
13 Atasi Lafai*, NSW, Campbelltown
14 Mhicca Carter*, Western Australia, Cottesloe
15 Mahalia Murphy, NSW, Campbelltown, 5 capsReserves
16 Darryl Wickliffe*, Western Australia, Kalamunda
17 Melissa Fatu*, NSW, Parramatta
18 Hana Ngaha, Queensland, Sunnybank, 9 caps
19 Alisha Hewett, Queensland, GPS, 20 caps
20 Kiri Lingman, Queensland, Sunnybank, 3 caps
21 Alice Tonumaivao*, Melbourne Rebels, Western Districts
22 Fenella Hake, Queensland, Redlands, 8 caps
23 Shanice Parker*, NSW, WarringahI wonder how many of these players are Aussie born. The entire frontrow isn't. LH born in UK, hooker and TH are NZ born.
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Wallaroos look much better than last year. That women's Super Rugby competition must have had a positive impact. The Black Ferns still look a bit rusty. Not strange, as they have only played local club rugby. They've been in camp a few times, but I understand they had only 10 days to prepare for this test.
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