2019 Black Ferns
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The list of 2019 contracted Black Ferns players has been published (* denotes first-time contracts):
Forwards
Eloise Blackwell (Auckland)
Luka Connor * (Bay of Plenty)
Lesley Elder (Bay of Plenty)
Karli Faneva * (Bay of Plenty)
Aldora Itunu (Auckland)
Phillipa Love (Canterbury)
Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland)
Toka Natua (Waikato)
Aleisha Nelson (Auckland)
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Counties Manukau)
Marcelle Parkes (Wellington)
Jackie Patea-Fereti (Wellington)
Leilani Perese (Counties Manukau)
Charmaine Smith (Auckland)
Harono Te Iringa (Counties Manukau)
Cristo Tofa (North Harbour)Backs
Chelsea Alley (Waikato)
Grace Brooker (Canterbury)
Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury)
Krysten Cottrell (Hawke's Bay)
Ruahei Demant (Auckland)
Dhys Faleafaga (Wellington)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Wellington)
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu * (Counties Manukau)
Kilisitina Moata'ane (Otago)
Natahlia Moors * (Auckland)
Monica Tagoai (Wellington)
Renee Wickliffe (Bay of Plenty)
Selica Winiata (Manawatu)Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore said he and the selectors believed balancing new and experienced players was crucial for creating greater depth in the Black Ferns squad. “We’re confident we have the mix right. We’re in the fortunate position of being able to draw on the experience and skill of seasoned players like Kendra Cocksedge, Selica Winiata and Eloise Blackwell and pair them with new talent, like Luka Connor and Karli Faneva. Moore said all four of the newly contracted players impressed selectors with not only their performances in the Farah Palmer Cup last year, but also their determination to keep striving and improving outside of the provincial competition.He said the contracted players have plenty of motivation going into their local club season too as they weren’t necessarily guaranteed a spot in the 2019 Black Ferns squad and the coveted black jersey. “We have several Black Ferns training camps coming up in the next few months and we’ll be bringing in extra players from the wider training squad. That’s when we’ll get a better idea of how everyone is tracking.” The contracted players will be part of the newly developed programmes for women in the Provincial Unions.Confirmation of the full 2019 Black Ferns international programme is expected in the coming weeks and the first Black Ferns training camp of the year is set for 9 and 10 March in Palmerston North.2019 Test matches (more to be announced):
Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy
- Sat 10 August: Wallaroos v Black Ferns (Perth)
- Sat 17 August: Black Ferns v Wallaroos (Auckland)
(both tests are double headers with Bledisloe Cup matches)
http://www.allblacks.com/News/33762/black-ferns-2019-contracted-squad-named
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Bay of Plenty’s Les Elder has been named as captain for a new look 2019 Black Ferns squad featuring 10 uncapped players. Elder (13), a specialist number 7, made her debut in the black jersey in 2015 and was part of the 2017 World Cup winning squad. Kendra Cocksedge (47) and Selica Winiata (36) have been named as co-vice captains.Moore has included seven new forwards and three backs. Three of the uncapped players have been named in previous squads but are yet to have their start in the black jersey. The seven new caps are: Karli Faneva (Bay of Plenty), Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty), Forne Burkin (Canterbury), Kennedy Simon (Waikato), Harono Te Iringa (Counties Manukau), Grace Brooker (Canterbury) and Pia Tapsell (North Harbour). Joanah Ngan-Woo (Wellington), Kilisitina Moata-ana (Otago) and Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau) have all been named in the squad previously and haven't had their debut.The Black Ferns squad is (Test caps in brackets, new caps in bold).
FORWARDS
Eloise Blackwell (37) Auckland
Forne Burkin Canterbury
Luka Connor Bay of Plenty
Les Elder (Captain, 13) Bay of Plenty
Karli Faneva Bay of Plenty
Aldora Itunu (20) Auckland
Phillipa Love (7) Canterbury
Charmaine McMenamin (19) Auckland
Toka Natua (16) Waikato
Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (29) Auckland
Joanah Ngan Woo Wellington
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (23) Counties Manukau
Marcelle Parkes (2) Wellington
Leilani Perese (5) Counties Manukau
Kennedy Simon Waikato
Charmaine Smith (21) Auckland
Pia Tapsell North Harbour
Harono Te Iringa Counties Manukau
Cristo Tofa AucklandBACKS
Chelsea Alley (18) Waikato
Kelly Brazier (37) Bay of Plenty
Grace Brooker Canterbury
Kendra Cocksedge (Co-Vice Captain, 47) Canterbury
Krysten Cottrell (5) Hawke's Bay
Kiritapu Demant (2) Bay of Plenty
Ruahei Demant (5) Auckland
Theresa Fitzpatrick (9) Auckland
Carla Hohepa (19) Waikato
Ayesha Leti-Iinga (3) Wellington
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu Counties Manukau
Kilisitina Moata'ane Otago
Natahlia Moors (1) Auckland
Alena Saili (2) Southland
Renee Wickliffe (35) Bay of Plenty
Selica Winiata (Co-Vice Captain, 36) Manawatu*Not considered due to injury: Monica Tagoai (Wellington) and Jackie Patea-Fereti (Wellington).
Moore and his selectors have included three Black Ferns Sevens players, in Kelly Brazier, Theresa Fitzpatrick and Alena Saili after they made themselves available for consideration with the support of their Sevens coaches. He said all three players had all previously been part of the Black Ferns 15s programme and were keen to continue to be included if, and when, circumstances allowed. “We know the priority for the Black Ferns Sevens is the Tokyo Olympics and the players’ welfare is always our top concern. These players are part of our squad and have the blessing of their sevens coaches to join us. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”Black Ferns 2019 schedule
Women’s Rugby Super Series 2019 in San Diego, USA
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training CenterSaturday, 29 June
v Canada
Kickoff: 11am (NZT)
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training CenterWednesday, 3 July
v USA
Kickoff: 12.15pm (NZT)
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training CenterSunday, 7 July
v France
Kickoff: 12.15pm (NZT)
San Diego State University’s Torero StadiumMonday, 15 July
v England
Kickoff: 8am (NZT)Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy
Optus Stadium, Perth
Saturday 10 August
v Australia (With All Blacks v Australia)
Kickoff: 7pm (NZT)Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 17 August
v Australia (With All Blacks v Australia)
Kickoff: 5pm (NZT)http://www.allblacks.com/News/34126/new-black-ferns-captain-named-in-squad-full-of-fresh-faces
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Black Ferns touring squad for the 2019 Women’s Rugby Super Series:
(Test caps in brackets, new caps *):
FORWARDS
Hookers
Forne Burkin Canterbury*
Luka Connor Bay of Plenty*
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (23) Counties ManukauProps
Phillipa Love (7) Canterbury
Toka Natua (16) Waikato
Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (29) Auckland
Leilani Perese (5) Counties Manukau
Olivia Ward-Duin North Harbour*Locks
Eloise Blackwell (37) Auckland
Karli Faneva Bay of Plenty*
Joanah Ngan-Woo Wellington*
Charmaine Smith (21) AucklandLoose Forwards
Les Elder (Captain, 13) Bay of Plenty
Charmaine McMenamin (19) Auckland
Marcelle Parkes (2) Wellington
Kennedy Simon Waikato*
Pia Tapsell North Harbour*BACKS
Halfbacks
Kendra Cocksedge (Co-vice captain, 47) Canterbury
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu Counties Manukau**Midfield* Chelsea Alley (18) Waikato Kelly Brazier (37) Bay of Plenty Krysten Cottrell (5) Hawke's Bay Ruahei Demant (2) Auckland Theresa Fitzpatrick (9) AucklandThis should obviously be:
First five-eights
Krysten Cottrell (5) Hawke's Bay
Ruahei Demant (2) AucklandMidfield
Chelsea Alley (18) Waikato
Kelly Brazier (37) Bay of Plenty
Theresa Fitzpatrick (9) AucklandOutside Backs
Carla Hohepa (19) Waikato
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (3) Wellington
Natahlia Moors (1) Auckland
Alena Saili (2) Southland
Renee Wickliffe (35) Bay of Plenty
Selica Winiata (Co-vice captain, 36) ManawatuMoore said Ward-Duin was called in late to the squad to cover for 20-Test cap Aldora Itunu who was recovering from a knee injury.Moore said Ward-Duin wouldn’t be alone in the rookie category as his squad included six new caps and Joanah Ngan-Woo (Wellington) and Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau) who have been named in previous squads and are yet to make their debut. “This is a very exciting squad – a real mix of experienced players and younger players ready to make their mark. “We will be facing four of the top teams in the world in USA, Canada, France and England – it’s going to be fantastic festival of rugby,” he said..
Women’s Rugby Super Series 2019 in San Diego, USAChula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Saturday, 29 June
v Canada
Kickoff: 11am (NZT)Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Wednesday, 3 July
v USA
Kickoff: 12.15pm (NZT)Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Sunday, 7 July
v France
Kickoff: 9.15am (NZT)Torero Stadium
Monday, 15 July
v England
Kickoff: 8am (NZT)The tests will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1.
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34292/black-ferns-touring-squad-for-san-diego-named
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Black Ferns team to take on Canada (Sat 29 June 2019, 11.00am NZT - Sky Sport 1)
1 Toka Natua (16)
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (24)
3 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (29)
4 Eloise Blackwell (37)
5 Charmaine Smith (21)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (19)
7 Les Elder (Captain, 13)
8 Pia Tapsell*
9 Kendra Cocksedge (Vice captain, 47)
10 Ruahei Demant (5)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga (3)
12 Chelsea Alley (18)
13 Carla Hohepa (19)
14 Renee Wickliffe (35)
15 Selica Winiata (Vice captain, 36)Reserves
16 Luka Connor*
17 Phillipa Love (7)
18 Leilani Perese (5) / Olivia Ward-Duin*
19 Karli Faneva*
20 Marcelle Parkes (2)
21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu*
22 Krysten Cottrell (5)
23 Alena Saili (2)North Harbour No.8 Pia Tapsell has been named to make her first Test start in the series opener. Tapsell, 20, has been a standout for her province where she has established herself as the most prolific try-scorer in North Harbour women’s rugby history. The Bay of Plenty pair, of hooker Luka Connor and loose forward Karli Faneva, Counties Manukau halfback Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu have all been named to make their Test debuts from the reserves. Ward-Duin is bracketed with Leilani Perese at this stage.Centre Carla Hohepa and prop Toka Natua will wear the black jersey for the first time since the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup final in Belfast. Hohepa, 33, took time out to have a baby and Moore said the speedy Waikato midfielder/wing was back to her best form and eager to make her mark in the series. “Carla is a very experienced player and we’ve always believed she is world class. She’s worked hard to get back in great physical shape and shown some good signs in all the lead-up games. She’s also part of our leadership group and is influential on and off the field.” Moore said Natua – also from Waikato – had earned her selection in a highly competitive position. “We’ve decided to go with Toka in this instance. She was the player of the World Cup Final, she’s had a year off, she’s back, and we want to see what she brings.”http://www.allblacks.com/News/34328/black-ferns-named-to-play-canada-in-super-series
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@Bovidae Yeah, typical game for a squad that has had many personnel changes and hasn't played for a while. Combos didn't always work well. I guess that's what you get if you don't have a proper competition before you play test matches (like the All Blacks have Super Rugby; or the Black Ferns the Farah Palmer Cup before an EOYT).
Don't think Cocksedge had a bad game; she just didn't stand out as usual. Great with the boot though. Only missed one kick at goal. Stand-outs for me were Blackwell and McMenamin in the forwards, and Alley and Leti-l'iga in the backs. Good cameo off the bench from Saili.
It was clear that the conditions had some impact on the game, although the strong wind seemed to affect the Canadians more than the Kiwis. Their line-outs were terrible. It looked really hot in San Diego.
Fortunately, the BFs will play the USA first, before taking on the two strongest opponents, France and England. Those two countries have the advantage of having played Premiership and Top 16 respectively, as well as the Six Nations.
It will be interesting to see how they are going to rotate players with the next game already on Wednesday morning (NZT).
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@Stargazer Not talking about goal kicking, which was good by both kickers, but Cocksedge's general kicking was poor (missed touch, aimless box kicks) and some of her options weren't great either.
England beat the USA 38-5 so I'm not confident vs them or France.
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Black Ferns squad to play the USA (Wednesday, 3 July - kickoff: 12.15pm (NZT) - live on Sky Sport 1)
1 Phillipa Love (8)
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (25)
3 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (30)
4 Eloise Blackwell (38)
5 Charmaine Smith (22)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (20)
7 Les Elder (Captain, 14)
8 Pia Tapsell (1)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (Vice captain, 48)
10 Ruahei Demant (6)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga (4)
12 Chelsea Alley (19)
13 Carla Hohepa (20)
14 Natahlia Moors (1)
15 Renee Wickliffe (36)Reserves
16 Forne Burkin*
17 Toka Natua (17)
18 Leilani Perese (6)
19 Joanah Ngan-Woo*
20 Kennedy Simon*
21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (1)
22 Kelly Brazier (37)
23 Theresa Fitzpatrick (9)(* indicates BF debut)
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34348/black-ferns-team-named-to-face-usa
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@Stargazer It was 3rd vs 4th in the rankings. They swapped after Canada's loss to NZ. I don't know the strength of the French team relative to the team that played in the 6N and beat NZ.
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@Bovidae Maybe the changes to the French team were already made before the 6 Nations. I just checked, and they finished only 3rd, well behind England (of course) and just behind Italy (their women's team does better than their men's).
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Half Time: Black Ferns 19 - 0 USA
USA had more opportunities to attack in the second quarter but handling errors prevented them from scoring. Their hooker can't throw a ball straight. Only one or two good line-outs out of 10+.
Ball handling from some BF players needs improvement, too.
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