Melbourne Storm co-captain and prop Jesse Bromwich will lead the Kiwis and veteran hooker Krystal Rota will skipper the Kiwi Ferns in their respective tests against Tonga in Auckland this weekend.
Krystal Rota playing for the Warriors. Photo: Photosport
Head coach Michael Maguire made the announcement to the squad after the players came into camp on Monday night.
Now 33, Bromwich is the most experienced international in the current squad with 29 Tests since his debut in 2012.
Rota has been honoured with her second test captaincy for this Saturday's clash against Tonga.
Rota has been a focal point of the Ferns team, a mainstay at the hooker position after making her debut in the 2016 Anzac test victory over the Jillaroos.
The Manurewa junior was named co-captain for the Māori All Stars' inaugural encounter with the Indigenous All Stars during the 2019 pre-season; she scored the winning try and received the Trish Hina Medal as player of the match.
Rota then contributed 19 tackles and 94 running metres to the Kiwi Ferns' mid-season win over Samoa.
The veteran then starred in the Kiwi Ferns' World Cup Nines victory and was at hooker again for the subsequent Test against the Jillaroos in Wollongong.
After leading Māori All-Stars against Indigenous All-Stars for the second straight season, Rota skippered Counties Manukau to glory in the inaugural National Women's Premiership.
She was then named Kiwi Ferns captain for the end-of-season Test against Fetu Samoa, producing a strong performance at hooker in New Zealand's 28-8 victory.
"She's an invaluable member of the squad and plays a crucial role in the Fern's leadership spine," said Head Coach Ricky.
"The impact she has on those around her, from players to staff, is evident and the leadership accolades she has under her belt speaks volumes."
After a two-year hiatus, the Kiwi Ferns face Tonga at Mt Smart on Saturday (3:10 pm), where the veteran Kiwi Fern looks to lead her side to victory.
Jesse Bromwich. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Bromwich will lead the Kiwis against Mate Ma'a Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday (5.20pm kick-off).
Head coach Michael Maguire said, "It's a tribute to Jesse and the work he has done that has seen him earn respect as a true leader with Melbourne.
"He's again co-captain for the Storm this season which speaks volumes for the regard he's held in at such a great club."
Bromwich is in his 13th and final season with the Storm after signing with the new Redcliffe Dolphins franchise from 2023.
Since making his debut in 2010, the Manurewa Marlins junior has played 284 NRL matches and is on track to join the 300 club early next season.
In the past 11 seasons he has never played fewer than 19 matches in a campaign and then only because the 2020 season was shortened by the Covid pandemic.
