PHOTO
Otago halfback Maia Joseph has been named in the Black Ferns squad for their bumper end of year tour.
Joseph had a standout Super Rugby Aupiki season for Matatū and is now the incumbent halfback for the Black Ferns with 19 caps.
Coach Whitney Hansen has named a strong squad, featuring five debutants among the 31 players selected as they prepare for their upcoming eight tests.
Matatū loose forward Elinor-Plum King — who had a breakout Aupiki season after moving south — gets her first call-up, alongside Matatū fullback Maia Davis.
Prop Ngano Tavake, lock Amarante Sititi and outside back Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a have also gained their first selection.
Electric back Braxton Sorensen-McGee returns after a stint with the Black Ferns Sevens and hard working loose forward Layla Sae returns from an ACL injury.
Prop Santo Taumata, who last appeared in the Rugby World Cup 2022, has earned a recall and Alena Saili — who hails from Invercargill and joined Matatū this season — gets her first Black Ferns appearance since 2018, having spent recent years with the Black Ferns Sevens.
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu and Jaymie Kolose are unavailable for selection due to injury, while fullback Renee Holmes and wing Katelyn Vahaakolo are unavailable due to their Black Ferns Sevens commitments.
The Black Ferns will meet the Black Ferns XV for a warm-up game on Friday.
They then play the Wallaroos for the O’Reilly Cup on August 22 before heading to Johannesberg to play South Africa on September 2.
They play France (September 13), Scotland (September 20) and England (September 27) before returning home to play three tests against France in October.
Jones gets call up
Otago loose forward Sarah Jones has been named in the Black Ferns XV squad.
Jones was phenomenal for the Otago Spirit last season, helping the side win the Farah Palmer Cup Championship.
The fullback turned flanker also made her mark with Matatū in Super Rugby Aupiki this season and was impressive in the final in her first start of her career.
Matatū lock Paris Lokotui has also been named. It completes a big career shift for the former Mainland Tactix netballer in her first rugby season.
Nat Delamere, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Emma Dermody, Kelsyn McCook, Grace Brooker, Winnie Palamo and Binky Muamua round out the Matatū contingent.
The Black Ferns XV, coached by Matatū head coach Blair Baxter, play the Black Ferns on Friday.
Black Ferns
End of year squad
Props: Chryss Viliko, Maddison Robinson, Ngano Tavake*, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Mo’omo’oga Palu, Santo Taumata
Hookers: Vici-Rose Green, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby
Locks: Maia Roos, Laura Bayfield, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Amarante Sititi*
Loose forwards: Mia Anderson, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Elinor-Plum King*, Layla Sae
Halfbacks: Maia Joseph, Tara Turner
First fives: Ruahei Demant, Hannah King
Midfielders: Sylvia Brunt, Justine McGregor, Amy Du Plessis, Alena Saili
Outside backs: Maia Davis*, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Mererangi Paul, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a*
*Uncapped
— Allied Media