Ruby Tui of New Zealand scores a try. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Black Ferns have contracted 34 strong wahines building towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup but one key player is missing.
Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting has included 10 players who are picking up their first fulltime contract and is still waiting on confirmation of whether Ruby Tui will join the Black Ferns later this year.
Tui skipped the Super Rugby Aupiki season this year with her last rugby match being the World Cup final win over England in November.
Super Rugby Aupiki standouts like Grace Gago, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Layla Sae, Lucy Jenkins, Mereangi Paul and Rosie Kelly have signed their first fulltime Black Ferns contracts.
The six fresh faces have added depth into the Black Ferns squad with their multiple sporting backgrounds.
Katelyn Vahaakolo had switched from rugby league after playing with Newcastle NRLW and Kiwi Ferns at the Rugby League World Cup 2022. However, after returning to union the goal of wearing a Black Ferns jersey has become a step closer.
Layla Sae from Hurricanes Poua was dubbed 'player to watch' after an outstanding season in the FPC campaign last year. She has also represented New Zealand in secondary school and NZL Junior Development Volleyball team.
Merengai Paul has an impressive resume of representing Bay of Plenty in Sevens and debuting for the Northern Mystics in 2017. Paul had kicked-off her rugby career with Chiefs Manawa this year.
Grace Gago plays hooker for Counties Manukau and debuted in the Blues against Matatu this year too.
Rosie Kelly is known for her rapid speed playing for Matatu in her second Rugby Aupiki season.
Reigning Rugby World Champions, Awhina Tangen-Wainhu, Kendra Reynolds, Sylvia Bruna and Santo Taumata have also received their first fulltime Black Ferns contract.
"We have a balance of youth and experience among the group who we believe can take this team to another level... A number of players stood out in Super Rugby Aupiki and now have the opportunity to further their growth and do that at the next level," Bunting says.
2023 Black Ferns Contracted Players:
Alana Bremner (Matatū, Canterbury)
Amy Du Plessis (Matatū, Canterbury)
Amy Rule (Matatū, Canterbury)
Ariana Bayler (Blues, Waikato)
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Ayesha Leti-I'iga (Hurricanes Poua, Wellington)
Charmaine McMenamin (Blues, Auckland)
Chelsea Bremner (Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury)
Georgia Ponsonby (Matatū, Canterbury)
Grace Brooker (Matatū, Canterbury)
Grace Gago (Blues, Counties Manukau)
Grace Steinmetz (Matatū, Canterbury)
Hazel Tubic (Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau)
Joanah Ngan-Woo (Hurricanes Poua, Wellington)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues, Auckland)
Kelsie Thwaites (Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty)
Kendra Reynolds (Matatū, Bay of Plenty)
Kennedy Simon (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Krystal Murray (Hurricanes Poua, Northland)
Layla Sae (Hurricanes Poua, Manawatu)
Liana Mikaele'Tu'u (Blues, Auckland)
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (Blues, Auckland)
Lucy Jenkins (Matatū, Canterbury)
Luka Connor (Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Blues, Auckland)
Mererangi Paul (Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau)
Patricia Maliepo (Blues, Auckland)
Pip Love (Matatū, Canterbury)
Renee Holmes (Matatū, Waikato)
Rosie Kelly (Matatū, Canterbury)
Ruahei Demant (Blues, Auckland)
Santo Taumata (Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty)
Tanya Kalounivale (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)