Ten Matatū players named in Black Ferns squad
Matatū and the wider Canterbury rugby community are hugely proud of the large contingent of Canterbury-based players named as part of the Black Ferns squad to compete in the Pacific Four Series and O’Reilly Cup against Australia in Brisbane later this month.
All Canterbury-based Matatū players who trained with the Black Ferns hub in Lincoln have been selected for the squad. They are Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Lucy Jenkins, Alana Bremner, Rosie Kelly, Amy Du Plessis and Grace Brooker.
Non-Canterbury-based Matatū players selected are Renee Holmes and Kendra Reynolds.
Many of the named players have played for the Black Ferns before, including at the 2021 Rugby World Cup, played in 2022.
Two players who will be fresh to the squad are Lucy Jenkins and Rosie Kelly – both star performers for Matatū during their Super Rugby Aupiki title win in 2023.
“I’ve wanted to be a [capped] Black Fern for most of my life, so being one step closer to that is very exciting,” Jenkins said.
The 22-year-old loose forward was named Matatū’s player of the year following their title win and was considered by many – including Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting – as the player of the tournament.
Connection and team culture was huge for Matatū in their second season, and Jenkins was complimentary of teammate Rosie Kelly on her squad call up.
“We had a conversation last year about how we were both going to fully commit to Super Rugby Aupiki and give it our best crack, and it’s obviously worked out really well for us,” Jenkins said.
Kelly was first choice No. 10 for Matatū in the ’23 season. On her Black Ferns selection, the 23-year-old said she was “stoked”.
“I still don’t think it’s set in yet, until I get to actually tour. I’m really lucky to get this opportunity early in my career, so I just want to soak it up,” Kelly said.
The coaching group for the Black Ferns is made up of Director of Rugby Allan Bunting, alongside Assistant Coaches Steve Jackson, Mike Delany and Tony Christie. Christie joined the group off the back of his Assistant Coach role with Matatū in 2022 and 2023.
Bunting said the Black Ferns debutants had impressed with how they’ve taken hold of opportunities this year.
“These players have impressed us across Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, but more importantly have joined our Black Ferns environment and taken the opportunity to put their best foot forward to wear the black jersey,” Bunting said.
“We are excited to see their progression this year.”
The Black Ferns will play four tests between 29 June and 30 September.
Schedule (New Zealand times and dates listed)
Pacific Four Series:
Black Ferns vs Australia, Thursday 29 June, 9.00pm, Kayo Stadium, BRISBANE
Black Ferns vs Canada, Sunday 9 July, 11.00am, TD Place Stadium, OTTAWA
Blacks Ferns vs USA, Saturday 15 July, 8.00am, TD Place Stadium, OTTAWA
O’Reilly Cup:
Black Ferns vs Australia, Thursday 29 June, 9.00pm, Kayo Stadium, BRISBANE
Black Ferns vs Australia, Saturday 30 September, 4.35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON