In a historic moment for the club, the Hurricanes has announced today its first-ever women’s squad to compete in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki. 

With two final players to be announced in early December, the current contracted players include twelve past and present Black Fern and Black Fern Sevens players, including three Black Ferns from the 2017 World Cup winning side, as well as some exciting up and coming regional players. 20 players hail from the Hurricanes region. 

Hurricanes Head Coach Wes Clarke congratulated the players selected and said representing the Hurricanes in the franchise's first Women’s Super Rugby team was a momentous achievement and a huge opportunity to showcase quality women’s rugby.  

“I am thrilled for the players mostly. For them to have the opportunity to play in the first ever Hurricanes Women’s Super Rugby team alongside the best players in the region is hugely exciting. It will be an opportunity to show their skills in a strong competition.”  

Clarke has picked a squad packed with experience, talent, and pace. 

“We have an exceptionally talented pool of players. I’ve been really excited about the young talent coming through, as well as the experienced players we have to lead them around the park." 

“Everyone who’s been selected today deserves their spot. We have the right combination of players, many with lots of experience to draw on.” 

“We have stayed local when selecting our squad. We hope that the fans and families in the region get behind these talented local players.” 

Among those selected is legendary Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini. 

One of the leading Sevens players in the world, Sarah Hirini has an impressive list of accolades to her name including captaining the Black Ferns Sevens team to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sevens World Champion in 2013 and 2018, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and six-time World Series winner.  

Also named in the first-ever Hurricanes Womens squad are current Black Ferns Joanah Ngan-Woo, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Iritana Hohaia, Cheyelle Robins-Reti and Dhys Faleafaga, former Black Ferns Jackie Patea-Fereti, Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali and Monica Tagoai, and former Black Fern Sevens player Lyric Faleafaga. 

Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said that today’s announcement was a remarkable moment for the Hurricanes. 

"Today is an incredibly significant day for women’s rugby and a historic moment for the Hurricanes." 

"Founding a Hurricanes Women's team was a no brainer for us. It creates a level of rugby between the FPC and the Black Ferns, and ultimately gives some truly remarkable female players from our region a fantastic opportunity to compete in a super rugby environment." 

"We're thrilled to welcome these players into our Hurricanes family." 

The Hurricanes will be announcing the name of the Hurricanes Women’s team in the coming weeks. 

Hurricanes Membership will be on sale in November which includes a Hurricanes Women’s home match. 

The Hurricanes Women’s contracted squad is: 

Saphire Abraham, Auckland 
Ana Afuie, Wellington 
Lauren Balsillie, Manawatu 
Kathleen Brown, Hawkes Bay 
Carys Dallinger, Manawatu 
Dhys Faleafaga, Wellington 
Lyric Faleafaga, Wellington 
Teilah Ferguson, Otago 
Sarah Hirini, Manawatu 
Iritana Hohaia, Taranaki 
Isadora Leio-Laupola, Wellington 
Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Wellington 
Marilyn Live, Manawatu 
Joanah Ngan-Woo, Wellington 
Jayme Nuku, Manawatu 
Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Manawatu 
Jackie Patea-Fereti, Wellington 
Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Waikato 
Layla Sae, Manawatu 
Kahurangi Sturmey, Manawatu 
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Northland  
Monica Tagoai, Wellington 
Ngano Tavake, Manawatu 
Esther Tilo-Faiaoga, Waikato 
Janna Vaughan, Manawatu 
Selica Winiata, Manawatu