9 Matatū Players Awarded Black Ferns Contracts
Nine Matatū players have received Black Ferns contracts, including two contracted for the first time.
They are Alana Bremner, Amy du Plessis, Amy Rule, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Lucy Jenkins, Maia Joseph and Marcelle Parkes.
Pip Love and Liv McGoverne have also received interim contracts as injury cover.
It is the first time Atlanta Lolohea and Maia Joseph have received a Black Ferns contract, marking a huge milestone for two key members of the Matatū crew.
Lolohea was called into the Black Ferns as injury cover during the final week of WXV1 and “impressed selectors at the time with her professionalism and hard work”.
Joseph had “been on the radar of Black Ferns selectors for a number of years”. She was selected for the Black Ferns XV in 2023 and later joined the Black Ferns environment ahead of the inaugural WXV. She had a stand out debut season with Matatū in 2024 and was given the Rookie of the Year Koru award.
Speaking specifically of the newly-contracted players, Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said it was “exciting to be able to see the growth we have building in our game”.
“While it makes for a tough selection, it gives us an opportunity to expose more talent to the international stage in specific areas we are looking at moving into the future and towards Rugby World Cup 2025,” Bunting said.
“These new players have really stood out consistently in their own way across Sky Super Rugby Aupiki that has been apparent in the way they hold themselves on and off the field.
“It is an exciting opportunity for them to come on this journey and look to continue their growth both on and off the field. The future of our internal competition is exciting to see.”
You can see our girls in the black jersey when the Black Ferns take on Canada on Sunday 19 May at Apollo Projects Stadium. TICKETS
Pacific Four Series Schedule (New Zealand times and dates listed)
Black Ferns v USA, Saturday 11 May, 2.05pm, HAMILTON
Black Ferns v Canada, Sunday 19 May, 4.35pm, Apollo Projects Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
Black Ferns v Australia, Saturday 25 May, 2.05pm, North Harbour Stadium, AUCKLAND (O’Reilly Cup, presented by Ryman Healthcare).
Ticketing for Pacific Four Series: click here.
Black Ferns 2024 Contracted Group:
Alana Bremner (Matatū, Canterbury)
Aldora Itunu (Blues, Auckland)
Amy du Plessis (Matatū, Canterbury)
Amy Rule (Matatū, Canterbury)
Ariana Bayler (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Atlanta Lolohea (Matatū, Canterbury)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Hurricanes Poua, Wellington)
Awhi Tangen-Wainohu (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Charmaine Smith (Chiefs Manawa, Northland)
Chelsea Bremner (Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury)
Chryss Viliko (Blues, Auckland)
Georgia Ponsonby (Matatū, Canterbury)
Grace Steinmetz (Chiefs Manawa, Canterbury)
Hannah King (Hurricanes Poua, Canterbury)
Iritana Hohaia (Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki)
Joanah Ngan Woo (Hurricanes Poua, Wellington)
Kahlia Awa (Blues, Hawke’s Bay)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Matatū, Manawatū)
Kate Henwood (Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues, Auckland)
Kennedy Simon (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Blues, Auckland)
Layla Sae (Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū)
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (Blues, Auckland)
Lucy Jenkins (Matatū, Canterbury)
Luka Connor (Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty)
Leaso Grace Gago Tiatia (Blues, Counties Manukau)
Maama Vaipulu (Blues, Auckland)
Maia Joseph (Matatū, Otago)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Blues, Auckland)
Marcelle Parkes (Matatū, Canterbury)
Mererangi Paul (Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau)
Monica Tagoai (Hurricanes Poua, Wellington)
Patricia Maliepo (Blues, Auckland)
Renee Holmes (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)
Ruahei Demant (Blues, Auckland)
Ruby Tui (Chiefs Manawa, Counties Manukau)
Santo Taumata (Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty)
Sophie Fisher (Blues, Auckland)
Tanya Kalounivale (Chiefs Manawa, Waikato)