The Hurricanes Poua are preparing for the first round of SKY Super Rugby Aupiki this weekend when they take on Chiefs Manawa in the season opener at Levin Domain on Saturday – marking the inaugural home match.
Head Coach Victoria Grant has named her side for Saturday’s clash with the Chiefs, with ten newcomers set to make their Hurricanes Poua debut.
In the front row, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate lines up at hooker flanked by Black Fern prop, Krystal Murray and Auckland storm front rower, Cristo Tofa, both of whom are on debut.
World Cup-winning Black Fern, Joanah Ngan-Woo and Hurricanes Poua captain, Jackie Patea-Fereti round out the tight five.
Heading into their second season with the Poua – Manawatū’s Rhiarna Ferris runs out at openside linking up with FPC teammates Kahurangi Sturmey at blindside and Layla Sae at No. 8, rounding out the forward pack.
The remaining run-on team stays the same as last weekend’s preseason clash with Matatū – Iritana Hohaia teams up with Manawatū’s first five Carys Dallinger in the insides.
Monica Tagoai joins forces with former Black Ferns Sevens player Shakira Baker in the midfield, with Baker making her Hurricanes debut.
In the back three – powerhouse finisher Ayesha Leti-I'iga links up with debutants Manusina International, Bernadette Robertson and former Matatū outside back Isabella Waterman.
Also looking to make their Hurricanes debut off the bench is, Auckland Storms’ Saphire Abraham; former NIB Blues prop, Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono; 2017 World Cup winning Black Fern, Sosoli Talawadua; Wellington’s 21-year-old halfback Milly Mackey; and 2017 World Cup-winning inside back, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali.
“We’re really excited for our first game of SKY Super Rugby Aupiki this weekend. The girls came in this morning absolutely pumped for this weekend.
“This is the first-ever women’s game outside of Hamilton and Auckland, and some of our players hail from the Horowhenua-Kapiti region, so they’re excited to play at their home ground,” said Grant.
The match will be televised live on Sky Sport.
Hurricanes Poua team to take on Chiefs Manawa:
1 Krystal Murray *
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
3 Cristo Tofa *
4 Joanah Ngan-Woo
5 Jackie Patea-Fereti (C)
6 Kahurangi Sturmey
7 Rhiarna Ferris
8 Layla Sae
9 Iritana Hohaia
10 Carys Dallinger
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga
12 Monica Tagoai
13 Shakira Baker *
14 Bernadette Robertson *
15 Isabella Waterman *
Reserves
16 Saphire Abraham *
17 Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono *
18 Sosoli Talawadua *
19 Rachael Rakatau
20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21 Milly Mackey *
22 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali *
23 Crystal Mayes
* Denotes debut