2022 Waitomo Group: Waikato Farah Palmer Cup Squad Announced

Waitomo Group: Waikato Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) 2022 squad has been announced to defend their Premiership title in 2022.

For the 2022 season the squad will be co-captained by the experienced and Black Ferns players, Renee Holmes and Kennedy Simon. Both players have a combined total of 46 games for Waikato and their experience will be pivotal in their leadership role. 

The squad features nine international players, that include eight 2021 Black Ferns squad members, they are Ariana Bayler, Carla Hohepa, Renee Holmes, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Tanya Kalounivale, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Chelsea Semple and Kennedy Simon. On top of the Black Ferns the squad also has a member from the Fijiana Women’s national side Jade Coates.  

26 players from the 2021 squad return to play in 2022 and are chasing back-to-back title with several members in line to achieve milestones this season. One of these players is, Chelsea Semple, who is two games away from becoming Waikato’s second women’s player to achieve 50 games for the province joining, Victoria Makea, who was the first to achieve this milestone in the final last season.

Other players in-line for milestones this season include, Toka Natua (33 Games), Grace Houpapa-Barrett (32) and Kennedy Simon (29) who have a chance to reach 35 games for the province and will be rewarded with a personalised gameday jersey. Players who have a chance to play in their 18th game blazer include, Renee Holmes (17), Cheyelle Robins-Reti (17), Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (15), Mia Anderson (13) and Carla Hohepa (12). Finally, players who are potentially going to receive a Mooloo bell for their 10th game for the province are Hannah Brough (8), Jade Coates (8), Kelsey Teneti (8), Sina Hetet (7), Claudia Hobbs (6), Daeja-Bernice Kaponga (4) and Montessa Tairakena (4).  

Eleven rookies have been named in the squad that have a chance to record their first cap for the province in 2022 are, Hamilton Marist’s, Kelsi Walters, Hamilton Old Boys players, Princess Elliot, Vici-Rose Green, Violet Hapi-Wise, Ngawai Hawera, Leata Puni Lio, Melville’s Veisinia Fakalelu, Lela Ieremia, Otorohanga’s Roelien du Plessis, Southern United’s Chantae Wilson-Jenkins and University player Finau Mafi.  

Waikato Head Coach, Wayne Maxwell said “The management and I are very thrilled with the squad we have assembled.

This year’s Team is a squad, which includes, a mix of experience, coming from seasoned Black Ferns and players who are in their 10th Year with us.

Along with our experience we are delighted to introduce several talented young athletes, who are eager to present their talents at FPC level.    

We are under no illusion, of the challenge ahead and expectations following the magnificent performance of last year’s team.

We are excited to kick the season off this weekend at our home ground with our Whanau and friends there to support us.

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC kick their season off this weekend when they host Manawatu Cyclones at FMG Stadium Waikato this Saturday (July 16), this match is free for public to attend.

 

2022 Waitomo Group: Waikato Farah Palmer Cup Squad

  1. Mia Anderson (13) University
  2. Reese Anderson (2) Hamilton Old Boys
  3. Rianna Aspinall (1) Melville
  4. Ariana Bayler (39) Hamilton Old Boys
  5. Hannah Brough (8) Otorohanga
  6. Jade Coates (8) Hamilton Old Boys
  7. Roelien du Plessis (*) Otorohanga
  8. Princess Elliot (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  9. Veisinia Fakalelu (*) Melville
  10. Tafiau Fetalaiga (2) Hamilton Old Boys
  11. Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (28) Melville
  12. Vici-Rose Green (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  13. Violet Hapi-Wise (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  14. Ngawai Hawera (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  15. Emma-Lee Heta (36) Kihikihi
  16. Sina Hetet (7) Otorohanga
  17. Claudia Hobbs (6) University
  18. Carla Hohepa (12) Kihikihi
  19. Renee Holmes (17) Hamilton Old Boys (Co-Captain)
  20. Grace Houpapa-Barrett (32) Otorohanga
  21. Lela Ieremia (*) Melville
  22. Chyann Kaitapu (*) Melville
  23. Tanya Kalounivale (25) Hamilton Old Boys
  24. Daeja-Bernice Kaponga (4) Putaruru
  25. Leomie Kloppers (23) Hamilton Old Boys
  26. Finau Mafi (*) University
  27. Victoria Makea nee Edmonds (50) University
  28. Toka Natua (33) University
  29. Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai (10) Hamilton Old Boys
  30. Merania Paraone (12) Kihikihi
  31. Rina Paraone (26) Kihikihi
  32. Leata Puni Lio (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  33. Cheyelle Robins-Reti (17)
  34. Calista Ruruku (19) University
  35. Chelsea Semple nee Alley (48) University
  36. Kennedy Simon (29) Hamilton Old Boys (Co-Captain)
  37. Kennedy Tahau (10) Hamilton Old Boys
  38. Montessa Tairakena (4) Hamilton Old Boys
  39. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (15) Hamilton Old Boys
  40. Kelsey Teneti (8) Hamilton Old Boys
  41. Esther Tilo-Faiaogo (22) Hamilton Old Boys
  42. Kelsi Walters (*) Hamilton Marist
  43. Chantae Wilson-Jenkins (*) Southern United

() = caps for Waikato

* = uncapped


Article added: Wednesday 13 July 2022

 

Latest News