HURRICANES

Coach: Wes Clarke Captain: TBC

Home ground:

SKY Stadium, Wellington Website: www.hurricanes.co.nz

Tickets:

http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Contact:

Level 2, 191 Thorndon Quay Pipitea, Wellington. Phone 04 389 0020 Email: mail@hurricanes.co.nz

AIMING HIGH: Joanah Ngan-Woo will be a key lineout winner.

HURRICANESSQUAD

FORWARDS: Kat Brown, Dhys Faleafaga, Sarah Hirini, Isadora LeioLaupola, Marilyn Live, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Jayme Nuku, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Rachael Rakatau, Layla Sae, Ngano Tavake, Esther Tilo-Faiaoga. BACKS: Sapphire Abraham, Ana Marie Afuie, Lauren Balsillie, Carys Dallinger, Lyric Faleafaga, Teilah Ferguson, Iritana Hohaia, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Chey Robins-Reti, Kahurangi Sturmey, Vic Subritzky-Nafatali, Monica Tagoai, Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata.

A TEAM TO RESPECT IN AUPIKI

Inspirational Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini is part of a strong squad with plenty of international experience and strong provincial ties.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: There is a strong Manawatu presence in the Hurricanes women’s squad, with 12 players and head coach Wes Clarke all from the rugby heartland. Manawatu ’s No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, utility backs Janna Vaughan and Lauren Balsillie, first-five Carys Dallinger, flanker Sarah Hirini, props Marilyn Live and Ngano Tavake, hooker Jayme Nuku, loose forward Layla Sae, locks Rachael Rakatau and Kahurangi Sturmey, and fullback Selica Winiata will form the nucleus of what looks to be a well-balanced squad. There are 20 players in the squad from the Hurricanes region. The experience of Wellington veteran Jackie Patea-Fereti and talented first-five Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali will both add greatly to the talent pool. Also named in the inaugural Hurricanes squad are current Black Ferns Joanah Ngan-Woo, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Iritana Hohaia, Cheyelle Robins-Reti and Dhys Faleafaga, former Black Fern Monica Tagoai, and former Black Fern Sevens player Lyric Faleafaga. Clarke is pleased with the way his squad has come together. “We’ve got a great mix of local talent and [I am] looking forward to seeing players build on their form from the Farah Palmer Cup. I am thrilled for the players mostly. For them to have the opportunity to play in the first ever Hurricanes women’s Super Rugby team alongside the best players in the region is hugely exciting. It will be an opportunity to show their skills in a strong competition. “It’s also great to have secured a number of players that have international experience. That is going to be really valuable in bringing the team together and setting high standards around what we want to achieve.” Clarke has picked a squad packed with experience, talent and pace. “We have an exceptionally talented pool of players. I’ve been really excited about the young talent coming through, as well as the experienced players we have to lead them around the park. “Everyone who’s been selected deserves their spot. We have the right combination of players, many with lots of experience to draw on. We have stayed local when selecting our squad. We hope that the fans and families in the region get behind these talented local players.” Undoubtedly, the key signing is legendary Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini. One of the leading sevens players in the world, Hirini has an impressive list of accolades to her name, including captaining the Black Ferns Sevens team to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sevens World Championships in 2013 and 2018, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and six-time World Series winner. Clarke says she is deeply committed to the Hurricanes region. “Every chance she gets she always plays for Manawatu even though she lives in the Mount. There was never any discussion about her playing for anyone else. She is always coming back to this region. "Not only is she really passionate about the region, she’s an outstanding leader and naturally commands the respect of everyone she works with.” Hirini is looking forward to a rare opportunity to play with her sister Rachael Rakatau, who is one of the locks in the squad. One of the players to look out for is highly regarded No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who missed the 2021 season after injuring her anterior cruciate ligament in her first game of the year. The 19-year-old has been on the national selectors’ radar for the last two seasons. If she can get plenty of game time, she will have the opportunity to show she has the ability to step-up to the next level.

LEADER: Sarah Hirini will be a huge asset to the Hurricanes.