Ayesha Leti-I’iga of New Zealand scores a try during Pacific Four round three women's rugby match between New Zealand and USA at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei, New Zealand on Saturday June 18, 2022. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz Photo: Aaron Gillions
World Cup winning winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga and co-captain Kennedy Simon are back in the Black Ferns for their northern tour.
Leti-I'iga, 21, a standout in the 2021 Rugby World Cup final, has recovered from a serious knee injury sustained in June last year to be named in the squad for next month's one-off test against World No.1 England at Twickenham (15 September) and the following WXV tournament in Canada.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
In the second edition of the WXV the Black Ferns will take on Ireland in Vancouver on 30 September before playing defending champions England in Langley on 7 October and then facing France in Vancouver on 13 October.
Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said Leti-I'iga's impact on the team is special and said the coaching group are excited to see what she will achieve when she makes her eagerly awaited return to the field.
"To have Ayesha returning is special, she has worked hard for this opportunity. She is lethal both sides of the ball, and her experience and character really enhances our environment on and off the field. We look forward to seeing her get back out there."
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Twenty-three-test loose forward Simon is also back from injury while returning to the team are props Kate Henwood and Marcelle Parkes, who missed last month's O'Reilly Cup Test victory in Brisbane due to injury.
"Our wāhine have been working hard, so this selection has been tough. We have seen a real competitive edge within the environment which has attributed to growth we are seeing in the group.
"This tour presents an awesome opportunity for our wāhine to face the best. The spectacle of playing at Twickenham, and the experience we gain from WXV 1, play an important role in our build-up for next year's Rugby World Cup," said Bunting.
The Black Ferns depart for England on 6 September.
The 30-player Black Ferns squad is (age, Super Rugby Club, Provincial Union, Test caps):
Forwards:
Alana Bremner (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 21)
Amy Rule (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 24)
Atlanta Lolohea (21, Matatū, Canterbury, 1)
Chelsea Bremner (29, Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury, 19)
Chryss Viliko (23, Blues, Auckland, 6)
Georgia Ponsonby (24, Matatū, Canterbury, 24)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22, Matatū, Manawatū, 6)
Kate Henwood (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 5)
Kennedy Simon (27, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23) (Co-Captain)
Layla Sae (23, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 7)
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (22, Blues, Auckland, 22)
Lucy Jenkins (23, Matatū, Canterbury, 7)
Luka Connor (27, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 23)
Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu (21, Blues, Auckland, 2)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 25)
Marcelle Parkes (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 6)
Phillipa Love (34, Matatū, Canterbury, 28)
Tanya Kalounivale (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 14)
Backs:
Amy Du Plessis (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 17)
Ayesha Leti-I'iga (25, Hurricanes Poua, 21)
Hannah King (20, Hurricanes Poua, 3)
Iritana Hohaia (24, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 10)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (24, Blues, Auckland, 10)
Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (20, Blues, Auckland, 17)
Maia Joseph (22, Matatū, Otago, 4)
Mererangi Paul (25, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 9)
Patricia Maliepo (21, Blues, Auckland, 9)
Renee Holmes (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 18)
Ruahei Demant (29, Blues, Auckland, 37) (Co-Captain)
Ruby Tui (32, Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau, 14)
Unavailable for selection: Awhina Tangen Wainohu (neck), Grace Leaso Gago (neck), Santo Taumata (knee), Sophie Fisher (neck).
