New Zealand U17 and U18 Girls Sevens Wider Training Group selected

Utumalama Antonio (Rosehill College) has started 6 matches at centre for top qualifiers Counties Manukau in this year's Women's NPC. PHOTO: Dave Brownlie.

The players have been selected for the New Zealand U17 & U18 Girls Sevens Wider Training Group, to prepare for a development camp in Auckland in mid-December followed by selection in one of the teams to participate in the second annual World School Sevens tournament on Saturday 16 December.

The squad is bristling with talent and excitement and includes a number of players who have already made their marks with their schools at regional and national level, in both sevens and 15s rugby.
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Of note, several players already have Farah Palmer Cup Women’s NPC experience, including a small group of players in the Counties Manukau and Canterbury squads, who, if selected, could be playing in the Women’s NPC final this weekend. 

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The players are (alphabetical order by first name):

Ainsleyana Puleiata (St Marys College)
Amy Du Plessis (Southland Girls High School)
Arorangi Tauranga (Hamilton Girls High School)
Ayesha Leti-l’iga (Oriental-Rongotai Football Club)
Azalleyah Maaka (Gisborne Girls High School)
Caitlyn Cox (East Coast Bays Rugby Club)
Carys Dallinger (Manukura)
Cheyenne Cunningham (Waitaki Girls High School
Cheyne Copeland (St Marys College)
Denae Te Huna (Manukura)
Dhys Faleafaga (St Marys College)
Emily Kitson (Waikuku College)
Georgia Ponsonby (Feilding High School)
Grace Brooker (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
Hannah Brough (Te Kuiti High School)
Hinemoa Watene (Howick College)
Honey Mokomoko (Lytton High School)
Iritana Hohaia (Opunake High School)
Isabella Carter (Rangi Ruru Girls School)
Isla Norman Bell (Howick College)
Islay Fowler (University of Otago Rugby Club)
Iva Livani (Howick College)
Jazmin Hotham (Hamilton Girls High School)
Jessica Fagan-Pease (Palmerston North Girls High School)
Julia Florence (John Paul College)
Kahurangi Sturmey (Feilding Old Boys Rugby Club)
Kalisi Longopoa (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Kalyn Cook (Manukura)
Kennedy Tahau (Cambridge High School)
Kiki Tahere (Kapiti College)
Kodi Barlow (Pakuranga College)
Kororia Heyblom (Rangiuru Sports Club)
Lauren Christie (Southland Girls High School)
Lisa Putt (St Kentigern College)
Lose Mafi (Marist Rugby Club)
Lucy Jenkins (St Margret’s College)
Mahina Paul (St Kentigern College)
Meg Breen (Columba College)
Meg Sycamore (Columba College)
Melanie Puckett (St Margret’s College)
Montana Heslop (College Old Boys - Victoria University)
Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Girls’ High School)
Niamh Jefferson (Taikura Rudolf Steiner)
Ora Williams (Rangiuru Sports Club)
Renee Holmes (Gisborne Girls’ High School)
Renee Savai’inaea (St Mary’s College)
Rina Paraone (University of Waikato Rugby Club)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Motueka High School)
Rosie Buchanan-Brown (Queen Charlotte College)
Saphire Abraham (Howick College)
Serai Murray-Wihongi (Whangarei Girls’ High School)
Sydnee Wilkins (Motueka High School)
Tahina Heta (Pukekohe High School)
Terina Wallace (Wesley College)
Tiana Davison (Sacred Heart Girls College)
Tynelle Fitzgerald (Trident High School)
Utumalama Atonio (Rosehill College)
 
Players that would have been selected but unavailable due to injury:
Abigail Roache   (Mt Albert Grammar School)
Jade Tuilaepa     (Rangataua Rugby Club)
Lyric Faleafaga   (St Mary’s College)

Above: Dhys Faleafaga (St Mary's College). PHOTO: Andy McArthur.