Kiwi Ferns Announce Competitive Squad for Pacific Championships

The New Zealand Kiwi Ferns have unveiled a highly competitive squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships, set to begin on **October 19, 2023**, in Auckland. Coach Ricky Henry emphasized the intense competition for positions within the team, noting that no player can take their spot for granted.

Henry described the selection process as challenging, stating, “Some very tough decisions. There’s competition across the board. I think no one’s safe and I don’t think anyone’s taking it for granted, but it’s always good to have a lot of depth.” The coach’s strategy also focuses on building a robust team for the future, particularly with the **2025 World Cup** in mind.

New Talent and Experienced Players Join Forces

The squad includes five newcomers, among them four players from the New Zealand Warriors: Tysha Ikenasio, Ivana Lauitiiti, Patricia Maliepo, and Shakira Baker, all set to make their Kiwi Ferns debuts. Henry acknowledged the impact of the recent expansion of the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition, which has broadened the talent pool available for selection.

“I think with the Warriors coming back in this year, and obviously the Bulldogs, it’s been awesome to see a lot of women have an opportunity to make themselves available for the Kiwi Ferns,” he stated. This expansion has allowed for greater depth across the squad, as more players are emerging from various clubs.

The coach also mentioned the possibility of attracting talent from rugby union, as some players have successfully transitioned between the two codes. “We had one (Black Fern) reach out, but we are about growing our game as well and making sure that we pick from within,” Henry said.

While the Kiwi Ferns celebrate new talent, they also welcome back seasoned players like Raecene McGregor, Georgia Hale, and Apii Nicholls, who bring a combined **20 caps** of international experience to the squad. Henry expressed confidence that their presence will provide valuable leadership to younger players.

Challenges Ahead for the Kiwi Ferns

Despite the depth of the squad, the absence of star player Gayle Broughton, a premiership winner, poses a significant challenge. Broughton has opted to focus on her transition back to **Aotearoa** and made herself unavailable for selection. Henry acknowledged, “We didn’t want to put too much pressure on her. Fingers crossed next year she’s available for the World Cup, but a big loss for us. She adds a lot of value around leadership professionalism.”

The Kiwi Ferns are set to kick off their Pacific Championship campaign against **Fetu Samoa** in Auckland. The excitement surrounding this tournament is palpable, as the squad aims to leverage its mix of emerging talent and experienced veterans to achieve success on the international stage.

The full **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)

*Denotes debutant