Five new Black Ferns

Australia Rugby Union.com - Wednesday, October 08, 2008 2:40 PM

FIVE new Black Ferns have been named in the squad to play the Paper-to-Paper Wallaroos in a two-Test series later this month.

Black Ferns coaches Dale Atkins and Warwick Taylor named a squad of 24 today to play the Wallaroos in Canberra.

The newcomers named today are Canterbury’s Olivia Coady and her provincial team-mates Halie Hurring and Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox, Doris Taufateau from Auckland and Selica Winiata from Manawatu.

The Black Ferns have not played a Test in Australia since 2001 and Atkins said playing on Australian soil would be a tough test for the team.

“It is always slightly harder playing away from home but the girls are really looking forward to the challenge over there. Our fitness levels are up again from last year and hopefully the team will gel together and bring a power game to the two Tests.”

The squad will be captained again this year by Canterbury’s Melissa Ruscoe.

Atkins said he had been impressed by those players who were now part of the women’s rugby talent identification program.

“Some of the players identified last year have really stepped up and improved their skill set and fitness levels to cement their place in the team,” Atkins said.

The Black Ferns squad is in Christchurch, with the two Tests on 14 and 18 October.

Black Ferns squad:Olivia Coady (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Monalisa Codling (Auckland), Fiao'o Fa'amausili (Auckland), Victoria Grant (Auckland), Victoria Heighway (Auckland), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Rebecca Hull (Manawatu), Halie Hurring (Canterbury), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Emma Jensen (Auckland), Ruth McKay (Manawatu), Beth Mallard (Otago), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Hannah Porter (Auckland), Anna Richards (Auckland), Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury, captain), Kim Smith (Canterbury), Aimee Sutorius (Wellington), Doris Taufateau (Auckland), Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Canterbury), Teresa Te Tamaki (Auckland), Shannon Willoughby (Hawke's Bay), Selica Winiata (Manawatu).