Blockbusting centre Mele Hufanga has been included in the Kiwi Ferns squad fresh off a premiership with the Broncos. Photo: Photosport
No starting spot is assured in one of the most stacked Kiwi Ferns squads ever assembled.
New Zealand has named a squad brimming with star power for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Coach Ricky Henry said it wasn't easy omitting some very deserving players.
"Some very tough decisions. There's competition across the board. I think no one's safe and I don't think anyone's taking it for granted, but it's always good to have a lot of depth."
Henry said the squad was also selected with next year in mind.
"I had a bit of a plan three years ago about getting us to the World Cup and making sure we've got enough experience and enough players that have played different positions."
There were five newcomers, including four Warriors for the tests against the Jillaroos and Fetu Samoa.
Tysha Ikenasio, Ivana Lauitiiti, Patricia Maliepo, Shakira Baker, and Shaniece Monschau are set for Kiwi Ferns debuts.
Henry said the expansion of the NRLW this year had seen the depth in the squad grow.
"I think with the Warriors coming back in this year, and obviously the Bulldogs, it's been awesome to see a lot of women have an opportunity to make themselves available for the Kiwi Ferns."
Another avenue for Henry to explore had been union, after several players opted to switch between codes in recent seasons.
"We had one (Black Fern) reach out, but we are about growing our game as well and making sure that we pick from within. If those ladies switch over to rugby league, then definitely be an option for us."
Henry said with the NRLW expansion, the game was going from strength to strength.
"I think each year is getting better and better. We've got some great players coming through, players getting developed earlier. You would have seen with the Warriors, their depth was tested this year and had some really good players come through that system, but not just them. I think across the board it's been awesome."
However, one star missing from the squad was premiership winner Gayle Broughton, who made herself unavailable to focus on her move back to Aotearoa.
"We didn't want to put too much pressure on her. Fingers crossed next year she's available for the World Cup, but a big loss for us. She adds a lot of value around leadership professionalism, so that's going to be lost. But I think in the same, really excited about a lot of our other spine members as well."
Though Broughton would be sidelined, The Kiwi Ferns welcome back 20 caps worth of test experience in Raecene McGregor, Georgia Hale and Apii Nicholls.
"A lot of experience and I think a lot of leadership too, we have got some emerging leaders as well. So a lot of those players will rub off on the younger players coming through."
The Ferns kick off their Pacific Championship campaign on October 19 against Fetu Samoa in Auckland.
2025 Kiwi Ferns Squad:
1. Abigail Roache (North Queensland Cowboys)
2. Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
3. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
4. Annessa Biddle (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
5. Apii Nicholls (New Zealand Warriors)
6. Ashleigh Quinlan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
7. Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos)
8. Brooke Anderson (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
9. Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans, Co-Captain)
10. Ivana Lauitiiti* (New Zealand Warriors)
11. Leianne Tufuga (Canberra Raiders)
12. Mele Hufanga (Brisbane Broncos)
13. Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters)
14. Patricia Maliepo* (New Zealand Warriors)
15. Raecene McGregor (St. George Illawarra Dragons, Co-Captain)
16. Shakira Baker* (New Zealand Warriors)
17. Shaniece Monschau* (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
18. Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights)
19. Tiana Davison (Newcastle Knights)
20. Tyla King (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
21. Tysha Ikenasio* (New Zealand Warriors)
*Denotes debutant
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