Kiwi Ferns Assemble Strong Squad for Pacific Championships

The Kiwi Ferns have announced a formidable squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships, aiming to make a significant mark in the tournament. Head coach Ricky Henry has meticulously selected a balanced team, combining seasoned players and newcomers who have excelled in their recent NRLW seasons.

This year marks the 30th iteration of the Kiwi Ferns, and the squad comprises 21 players who have demonstrated outstanding performance, setting a strong foundation for their championship campaign. Among the notable inclusions is Raecene McGregor, returning after a brief hiatus in 2024. She is joined by veterans Georgia Hale and Apii Nicholls, who together bring an impressive total of 20 campaigns in the black jersey.

Henry emphasized the importance of experience, stating, “Those three [Hale, McGregor, and Nicholls] are cornerstones for our team. Their experience is second to none and invaluable at Test level.” He expressed excitement about the potential of the five rookies, indicating that their performance could influence selections for the upcoming World Cup.

Among the newcomers, four players hail from the revitalized Warriors NRLW team: centre Tysha Ikenasio, prop Ivana Lauitiiti, five-eighth Patricia Maliepo, and Shakira Baker. They will compete for starting positions alongside fellow rookie Shaniece Monschau from the Bulldogs.

The Kiwi Ferns will commence their championship journey against Fetu Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium on October 19, 2025. Following that, they are set for a highly anticipated rematch against Australia at Eden Park, a crucial fixture in the quest for a place in the final in Sydney.

The complete 2025 Kiwi Ferns squad is as follows:

1. Abigail Roache (North Queensland Cowboys)
2. Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
3. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
4. Annessa Biddle (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
5. Apii Nicholls (New Zealand Warriors)
6. Ashleigh Quinlan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
7. Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos)
8. Brooke Anderson (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
9. Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans, Co-Captain)
10. Ivana Lauitiiti (New Zealand Warriors)
11. Leianne Tufuga (Canberra Raiders)
12. Mele Hufanga (Brisbane Broncos)
13. Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters)
14. Patricia Maliepo (New Zealand Warriors)
15. Raecene McGregor (St. George Illawarra Dragons, Co-Captain)
16. Shakira Baker (New Zealand Warriors)
17. Shaniece Monschau (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
18. Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights)
19. Tiana Davison (Newcastle Knights)
20. Tyla King (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
21. Tysha Ikenasio (New Zealand Warriors)

The wider squad includes players such as Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters) and Mackenzie Wiki (Canberra Raiders), among others. Notably, some players are unavailable due to injury or personal reasons, including Brooke Talataina (Wests Tigers) and Amber Hall (Sydney Roosters).

As the Kiwi Ferns prepare for the Pacific Championships, anticipation builds around their performance and the impact of both seasoned veterans and new talent on the field.