Springbok Women get preview as Black Ferns XV reveal squad

Black Ferns XV head coach Willie Walker has announced a 34-strong squad to prepare for the team’s trial match against the Black Ferns in Whangārei on Saturday, July 5.

The squad includes three members of the Black Ferns July Series squad, with Laura Bayfield, Hannah King and Iritana Hohaia set to play for the Black Ferns XV in Whangārei before re-joining the national squad.

Five previously capped Black Ferns players have been selected, including Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Marcelle Parkes, Mererangi Paul and Ruby Tui, as well as former Black Ferns Sevens representatives Kelsey Teneti, Justine McGregor and Jaymie Kolose.

Walker said the players were looking forward to their first match together.

“We’re really pleased with the quality of the squad selected, and it’s great to have a group of experienced international players to guide the younger members of the squad. The trial match in Whangārei is an important fixture for both squads as we start our respective 2025 campaigns.”

Walker will trim the squad back to 28 players for the trial match, which doubles as a dress rehearsal for two historic matches against the Springbok Women’s team in late July.

Black Ferns July Series squad member

Hookers
Luka Connor (Chiefs Manawa/Bay of Plenty)
Grace Leaso Gago (Blues/Counties Manukau)
Jordan Tihore (Bay of Plenty)
Finau Mafi (Waikato)

Props
Krystal Murray (Chiefs Manawa/Northland)
Marcelle Parkes (Matatū/Canterbury)
Cheyenne Tuli-Fale (Blues/Auckland)
Maddi Robinson (Matatū/Canterbury)
Ashley Palu (Matatū/Canterbury)
Harono Te Iringa (Blues/Counties Manukau)

Locks
Sam Taylor (Hurricanes Poua/Manawatū)
Alexandra Williamson (Canterbury)
*Laura Bayfield (Matatū/Canterbury)

Loose forwards
Taufa Bason (Blues/Manawatū)
Elinor-Plum King (Hurricanes Poua/Manawatū)
Fiaali’i Solomona (Matatū/Tasman)
Lucy Jenkins (Matatū/Canterbury)
Holly Greenway (Blues/Bay of Plenty)

Scrumhalves
Tara Turner (Blues/Northland)
*Iritana Hohaia (Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki)
Reese Anderson (Chiefs Manawa/Waikato)
Kelsyn McCook (Matatū/Canterbury)

Flyhalves
*Hannah King (Matatū/Canterbury)
Keira Sua Smith (Hurricanes Poua/Wellington)

Centres
Hollyrae Mete-Renata (Matatū/Manawatū)
Justine McGregor (Wellington)
Kelsey Teneti (Waikato)
Arlia McCarthy (Northland)
Leilani Hakiwai (Hurricanes Poua/Hawke’s Bay)

Wings
Jaymie Kolose (Blues/Counties Manukau)
Ruby Tui (Chiefs Manawa/ Counties Manukau)
Winnie Palamo (Matatū/Canterbury)
Kaea Nepia (Matatū/Waikato)
Mererangi Paul (Chiefs Manawa/Counties Manukau)

Not considered due to injury or unavailability: Emma Dermody, Kiriana Nolan, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Danii Mafoe, Fia Laikong.