“Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to become a Black Fern. Watching some of the women who are in the team now playing on the screen and playing alongside them is such an honour and a blessing to be able to be in this space,” Sititi said.
After her strong campaign in Aupiki, it was perhaps not a surprise to see the young star selected in Whitney Hansen’s squad for the Black Ferns’ end-of-year tour. Hansen noted this week that Sititi’s combination of athleticism and coachability had her well poised to do special things in the game.
It did, however, come as a surprise to most – including the player herself – to see she had been selected as a lock rather than a loose forward, where she generally plays.
“I was really shocked that I was here as a lock,” Sititi said.
“But it’s a good opportunity to grow my skills and become a versatile player. I think it was just a good opportunity to be in a different position on the field.”
Asked how much she had played at lock, Sititi admitted it was “not much” but said she was getting a feel for the position and suggested the position required more work than a loose forward – something she would be sharing with her brother and All Blacks loose forward Wallace.
While Sititi was enjoying immersing herself in the Black Ferns environment for the first time, it was a little bit different for Tuliau-Tua’a.
Tuliau-Tua’a, also 19, found herself called into Black Ferns camp before having played a single minute of Aupiki when she was part of the Pacific Four (Pac 4) series squad earlier in the year. The call came on the back of a quality FPC campaign on the wing for Waikato in 2025.
Amarante Sititi and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a are in line to make their test debuts for the Black Ferns this weekend. Photo / Photosport
She was, however, called into that group having had it made very clear that she would not be playing in any of the three tests.
“I did get itchy feet, definitely, going overseas playing rugby, but just going over there was such a privilege because I hadn’t played Aupiki and anything, so just being in that environment professionally, it was really cool,” she said.
“I got really fit, lots of game replacements, but it was good. It helped me; just all the knowledge that I got from being in amongst the experience of the outsides really helped me going into Aupiki.”
After a solid Aupiki campaign individually, she finds herself back in the squad – this time as a playing member.
“She came away on tour with us last time to Pac 4,” said Hansen, “and she knew she wasn’t going to play unless we had an injury in that space. That was about learning to be professional, learning to be on tour, and she soaked that up and took every opportunity she could.
“She’s very much impressed us through training so no doubt she’ll go out and do what she needs to this week, which is be herself.”
Black Ferns v Wallaroos
Go Media Stadium, Auckland.
Saturday, August 21, 3.05pm kickoff.
Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Ruahei Demant, 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy du Plessis, 14. Mererangi Paul, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Bench: 16. Vici-Rose Green, 17. Maddison Robinson, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Amarante Sititi, 20. Mia Anderson, 21. Ariana Bayler, 22. Hannah King, 23. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a.
Unavailable: Layla Sae (knee), Mo’omo’oga Palu (concussion), Tara Turner (hamstring).
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.