Kiwi Ferns name World Cup squad

New Zealand's Kiwi Ferns will assemble mid-November in preparation for their tilt at returning the Women's Rugby League World Cup to NZ.

For the first time this selection process has included talent based in Australia, with a number of players making the trip to NZ to trial with their NZ based counterparts before the squad was selected.

Coach Tony Benson said, "It has been exciting to see the lift in intensity at training and at the trials since we were able to commit more resources to the team.

"They have been working on their fitness levels with our trainers and Athlete Nation at the NZIS gym facilities and refining our nutrition with Lee-Anne Wann, performance nutritionist to prepare themselves for this campaign.

"All the players have really embraced the challenge and I am confident they will give the very best of themselves at this year's tournament."

The following squad, led by Laura Mariu, will head to Australia where they will play all their pool games in Sydney. The Women’s final will be played prior to the Men’s final in Brisbane on December 2, 2017. All Kiwi Ferns game will screen live on SKY in NZ.

 

New Zealand Kiwi Ferns squad 
1. Racquel Anderson * 
2. Ngatokotoru Arakua 
3. Sharlene Atai 
4. Maitua Feterika 
5. Teuila Fotu Moala 
6. Louisa Gago * 
7. Georgia Hale (vc) 
8. Honey Hireme 
9. Amber Kani 
10. Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe 
11. Laura Mariu (c) 
12. Lilieta Maumau 
13. Nita Maynard * 
14. Raecene McGregor * 
15. Krystal Murray 
16. Kimiora Nati 
17. Apii Nicholls-Pualau * 
18 Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala 
19. Hilda Peters 
20. Kahurangi Peters 
21. Krystal Rota 
22. Aieshaleigh Smalley * 
23. Atawhai Tupaea 
24. Shontelle Woodman 
  
* Denotes Debutant

Author: 
www.nrl.com