A phone call to long serving winger Shanice Parker confirmed the amount of depth Ricky Henry has at his disposal with the return of the Warriors and Black Ferns stars wanting to play.
Parker has been a regular member of the Kiwi Ferns squad since the 2022 World Cup but with the emergence of Warriors convert Payton Takimoana – the Dally M winger of the year – the Knights star feared she would miss out.
“We have got some great players coming through and there were some very tough decisions,” Henry said after announcing the New Zealand squad for the Pacific Cup against Australia and Samoa.
“Shanice is an experienced campaigner for us and she has won a few grand finals with the Newcastle Knights, but she was pretty nervous about getting a call from me because she thought she didn’t make it.
Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry and star fullback Apii Nicholls at the launch of the Pacific Championships in Auckland.
©PhotoSport NZ
“It says a lot about the jersey and how proud we are to wear it, but also that there is competition across the board. No one is safe and I don’t think anyone takes it for granted but it is always good to have a lot of depth.”
Despite a stunning debut season in which she was the NRLW’s second highest tryscorer, Takimoana missed out on a spot in the squad for the Pacific Championships and Henry revealed he had also overlooked a Black Ferns star from the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We had one reach out, but we are about growing our game as well, and making sure we pick from within,” he said. “If those ladies switch over to rugby league it will definitely be an option for us.
“There are definitely players in the Black Ferns that are worth looking at but until they play rugby league we don’t really know. It does make it really exciting.
“Obviously there’s some top athletes playing at that level and we are looking forward to potentially having them switch over and come to league.”
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One cross-code star who did make the cut was Warriors playmaker Patricia Maliepo, who is one of four debutants in the 21-strong squad, along with team-mates Tysha Ikenasio, Shakira Baker and Ivana Lauitiiti.
With Broncos premiership winner Gayle Broughton unavailable for personal reasons, Maliepo is expected to partner 2022 IRL Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor in the halves.
The Dragons halfback, who missed last year’s Pacific Championships due to her wedding, is one of four NRLW club captains in the squad – the others being Georgia Hale (Titans), Apii Nicholls (Warriors) and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa (Bulldogs).
“We have been building over the last three years and have had a bit of a plan about getting to the World Cup and making sure we have enough experience and enough players that can play different positions that can help us,” Henry said.
The decision by Roosters forward Amber Hall to commit to Samoa for next year’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea has opened the door for Lauitiiti to join her famous father, Ali, as a New Zealand international.
Lauitiiti started this season on a development contract with the Warriors but was called up for her NRLW debut at NRLW Magic Round and made an immediate impact.
The teenager was also in the sights of Samoa but opted to play for the Kiwi Ferns.
“It has been a rapid rise,” Henry said. “I think she is a phenomenal player, she has got a unique skillset there, she is powerful, she is pretty quick for a middle and I just think we are starting to see what potential she does have.
“She is a player of the future and a someone I would rather have on our team than against us.”
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Nicholls welcomed Lauitiiti’s selection and said she was glad to have the young forward on her side.
“We call her the ‘silent assassin’. From day one when I saw her train, I just knew that she was going to get contracted this year,” Nicholls said.
“I knew that she was a powerful runner but I recall trying to tackle her and I couldn’t. I think there was a couple of times I tried to tackle her and she is just that strong.
“I am really proud of her and she deserves this opportunity. She is a beast. I am glad she is on my side.”