The Hurricanes have today named their Hurricanes Poua squad ahead of the 2023 SKY Super Rugby Aupiki competition. 

With three final players set to be announced in early December, the contracted squad includes eight exciting new signings, nine players with international experience, and three Black Ferns from the 2021 Rugby World Cup winning side. 

Hurricanes Head Coach Victoria Grant said: "It's been an amazing process selecting our squad. Selection was a key focus when I first came onboard, so it's been an exciting time. 

“I think we have a powerful, electric and exciting squad. 

“I’m really excited about the young talent coming through, as well as the experienced players we have onboard to lead the group.  

“We are looking to be innovative around our game and really leverage off what we built last year in terms of a good platform, so the focus is on taking our game to an exciting new place, and we think we've got the players to do it,” said Grant. 

Grant has picked a squad packed with experience, talent, and x-factor. 

33-test Black Fern Aroha Savage will make her Poua debut adding international impact to the forwards. 

“Aroha is a great, experienced player. Having Aroha come in alongside our two exciting young loosies, Kaipo and Layla, really balances out our loosies. She'll bring her wealth of knowledge but then she is still a powerful force on the field,” said Grant.  

Joining Savage is powerful Black Fern prop, Krystal Murray. 

“Krystal had an amazing campaign with the Rugby World Cup in the Black Ferns. She was a vital part of their team and bringing fire power in the second half. Looking at her ball skills and what she can bring outside of her key role as a prop, her skillset is really something of a playmaker, first-five, second-five sort of player, so we’re really excited about that,” said Grant.  

Other new players joining the squad include utility Isabella Waterman, front-rowers, Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono and Cristo Tofa, and Wellington Pride teammates, Milly Mackey, Maddie Feaunati and Bernadette Robertson. 

Among those returning to the side is try-scoring machine, Ayesha Leti-I'iga and lock, Joanah Ngan-Woo, both of whom played stand-out roles in the Black Ferns winning the 2021 Rugby World Cup.  

"Joanah, Ayesha and Krystal all played amazingly throughout the whole [Black Ferns] campaign. 

“All our Black Ferns will contribute hugely, on and off the field. Bringing that [the experience of the Black Ferns] into our environment is just going to take our team to another level,” said Grant. 

2023 SKY Super Rugby Aupiki kicks off on Saturday 25 February, with the Hurricanes Poua taking on the Chiefs Manawa in the competition opener at Levin Domain.  

“This competition is another huge opportunity to showcase quality women’s rugby,” said Grant.  

 “After the impressive scenes we all witnessed at Eden Park for the RWC final and throughout the tournament, this is an exciting time for women’s rugby and Super Rugby Aupiki will play a vital role in continuing the unprecedented momentum global women’s sport is enjoying at the moment.  

“We all know the importance our players can make to the next generation of young wāhine toa who aspire to be the next Joanah Ngan-Woo or Aroha Savage.   

“We would love to see that phenomenal support for Super Rugby Aupiki,” said Grant.  

The Hurricanes Poua contracted squad is:  

Forwards: 
Saphire Abraham 
Maddie Feaunati * 
Rhiarna Ferris 
Krystal Murray * 
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate 
Joanah Ngan-Woo 
Kaipo Olsen-Baker 
Jackie Patea-Fereti 
Leilani Perese 
Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono * 
Rachel Rakatau 
Layla Sae
Aroha Savage * 
Kahurangi Sturmey 
Cristo Tofa * 

Backs:
Carys Dallinger 
Teilah Ferguson 
Iritana Hohaia 
Ayesha Leti-I’iga 
Milly Mackey * 
Crystal Mayes
Bernadette Robertson *
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali  
Monica Tagoai
Isabella Waterman * 

*Newly contracted Hurricanes Poua