Hohepa (24), a primary school teacher, and Brazier (20), a personal training student, are the only Otago players named in the World Cup squad. Beth Mallard was unlucky to miss selection.
Hohepa, from Hawkes Bay, has been flatting with Brazier this year.
"It has been good living together," she said.
"If I don't like getting out of bed and training on the cold mornings, Kelly pulls me out. It has made it easier for both of us to do the hard work."
Hohepa completed her course at the Dunedin College of Education last year and returned to Dunedin this year for rugby. They are both members of the Alhambra-Union club.
"It was awesome hearing my name read out," Hohepa told the Otago Daily Times from Napier yesterday.
"All the hard work has paid off."
Brazier was pleased that her flatmate also made the team.
"Its been good to have a training partner this year. It was pretty cool that we both made the team."
Hohepa is spending a couple of weeks in Napier with boyfriend Karne Hesketh, a former Otago representative, who is having a break from his rugby contract with the Sanix Club in Japan.
She has practised one-on-one tackling with Hesketh and has little difficulty getting past the former Otago representative.
Hohepa was in the New Zealand Sevens team that lost the final of the World Cup last year to Australia.
Brazier played for New Zealand in the Hong Kong Sevens but missed selection for the World Cup.
Brazier, the Otago Spirit utility back, has been named as one of the goal kickers and will play at first five-eighth.
"I like it," she said. "It will get me more involved than if I was at fullback. I will see more play, have more responsibility and it will be more physical and I will have more tackling to do."
Brazier, a personal trainer student at the Otago Polytechnic, is having a holiday with family in Christchurch during the vacation.
"I'm training hard most days doing running, gym work and practising rugby skills," she said.
The Black Ferns have won the last three World Cups and the two Otago players want to be part of a gold medal-winning team when the World Cup begins in England on August 20.
• Black Ferns Team for World Cup
Kelly Brazier, Kendra Cocksedge, Monalisa Codling, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Victoria Grant, Victoria Heighway, Trish Hina, Carla Hohepa, Rebecca Hull, Halie Hurring, Linda Itunu, Emma Jensen, Justine Lavea, Huriana Manuel, Ruth McKay, Mel Ngatai, Karina Penetito, Casey Robertson, Vita Robinson, Amiria Rule, Melissa Ruscoe (captain), Aroha Savage, Joan Sione, Doris Taufateau, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, Renee Wickliffe.
