NEW ZEALAND have called upon two double Olympic gold medallists in their bid to take the World Cup crown from Australia.
Tenika Willison and Stacey Waaka were both part of the Black Ferns side which won the rugby sevens tournament at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, then retained the title three years later in Paris.
The pair, who have also both earned New Zealand caps in 15-a-side, switched to rugby league after the latter event, establishing themselves as wingers in the NRLW.
Willison plays for Newcastle Knights while Waaka, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner in 2017 and 2021, started at Brisbane Broncos, then moved to New Zealand Warriors this year.
Having lost each of the last three finals to Australia since lifting the first three World Cups, the Kiwi Ferns are determined to get back on top and have named a star-studded line-up.
Raecene McGregor will lead the team at halfback and is co-captain alongside experienced forward Georgia Hale while veteran fullback Apii Nicholls is another to watch at fullback.
“We are really excited for this campaign,” said their coach, Ricky Henry.
“We have absolute faith in these women we have named to pull on the jersey this year.
“The way our last World Cup ended (a 54-4 final defeat at Old Trafford) has lit the fire and hunger to go one better this time, and I believe we have the team to do that.”
New Zealand squad: Brooke Anderson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kaiyah Atai (New Zealand Warriors), Annessa Biddle (Cronulla Sharks), Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos), Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans), Mele Hufanga (New Zealand Warriors), Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Cronulla Sharks), Ivana Lauitiiti (New Zealand Warriors), Shannon Mato (Brisbane Broncos), Raecene McGregor (Wests Tigers), Shaniece Monschau (Wests Tigers), Apii Nicholls (New Zealand Warriors), Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights), Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters), Ashleigh Quinlan (Canterbury Bulldogs), Abigail Roache (North Queensland Cowboys), Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury Bulldogs), Trinity Tauaneai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Canterbury Bulldogs), Zahara Temara (Canberra Raiders), Leianne Tufuga (Canberra Raiders), Stacey Waaka (New Zealand Warriors), Tenika Willison (Newcastle Knights).
