Five One New Zealand Warriors have been named in the Kiwi Ferns’ 23-strong squad for the Rugby League World Cup starting in Australia next week.
Apart from incumbents Apii Nicholls, Mele Hufanga and Ivana Lauitiiti, head coach Ricky Henry has called up Stacey Waaka and Kaiyah Atai who are set for the Kiwi Ferns debuts.
The squad boasts a range of talent and experience with players delivering virtuosic performances across their respective NRLW seasons.
Co-captain Raecene McGregor led from the front throughout her season, earning her runner-up for the Dally M Medal (just two points behind Australia’s Tamika Upton), as well as being named Dally M Halfback of the Year, and the Wests Tigers Player of the Year.
Co-captain Georgia Hale, Nicholls, Alexis Tauaneai, Leianne Tufuga and newcomer Tenika Willison also took out top honours for their clubs with their impressive NRLW performances.
“We are really excited for this campaign. The depth of Kiwi talent we had to select from made this a tough decision, but we have absolute faith in these women we have named to pull on the jersey this year,” said Henry.
“The way our last World Cup ended has lit the fire and hunger to go one better this time, and I believe we have the team to do that.”
Named as part of the 2025 wider squad, Willison’s outstanding season earns her a certified place this year, where she is reunited with fellow cross-code star and former Black Fern Sevens teammate Waaka. The talented duo won an Olympic gold medal together at the Beijing 2020 Games, and, showing their strong athletic ability, both made their successful switch to league following the last Sevens Olympics campaign.
Returning to their roots, Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Atai join the squad after switching their allegiance from the Cook Islands, as do Shannon Mato and Zahara Temara, who have previously represented Australia. After joining last year’s squad as a late replacement, Trinity Tauaneai, younger sister of Alexis, has earned her place in the 23 and returns with an opportunity to make her debut.
The Kiwi Ferns assemble this weekend in Newcastle to kick off their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Fiji. They will then face France in Christchurch, and Papua New Guinea on the Gold Coast to fight for their place in the playoffs.
Rugby League World Cup | Kiwi Ferns
1. Brooke Anderson #172, St. George Illawarra Dragons
2. Kaiyah Atai, New Zealand Warriors*
3. Annessa Biddle #169, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
4. Brianna Clark #164, Brisbane Broncos
5. Georgia Hale #122, Gold Coast Titans
6. Mele Hufanga #166, New Zealand Warriors
7. Chantay Kiria-Ratu, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks*
8. Ivana Lauitiiti #188, New Zealand Warriors
9. Shannon Mato, Brisbane Broncos*
10. Raecene McGregor #140, Wests Tigers
11. Shaniece Monschau #189, Wests Tigers
12. Apii Nicholls #134, New Zealand Warriors
13. Shanice Parker #163, Newcastle Knights
14. Otesa Pule #165, Sydney Roosters
15. Ashleigh Quinlan #171, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
16. Abigail Roache #168, North Queensland Cowboys
17. Alexis Tauaneai #182, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
18. Trinity Tauaneai, St. George Illawarra Dragons*
19. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa #173, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
20. Zahara Temara, Canberra Raiders*
21. Leianne Tufuga #170, Canberra Raiders
22. Stacey Waaka, New Zealand Warriors*
23. Tenika Willison, Newcastle Knights*
