2023 Waitomo Group Waikato Farah Palmer Cup Squad Announced

The 2023 Waitomo Group: Waikato Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) squad has been announced a head of the kick-off of the Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse.

This season the squad will be Captained by the experienced, Chyna Hohepa. Hohepa has accumulated a total of 36 matches for Waikato and was the captain of the team when Waikato won their inaugural Farah Palmer Cup title in 2021.

The squad features six current international players. Four 2023 Black Ferns squad members have been named, they are Renee Holmes, Tanya Kalounivale, Kennedy Simon and Esther Tilo-Faiaoga. On top of the Black Ferns the squad also features two members from the Fijiana Women’s national side, they are Bitila Tawake and local girl Jade Coates. 

From the 2022 squad, 27 players have returned to play in 2023 with five players in line for some major milestones this season. Ariana Bayler is currently on 42 games for the province and is eight games from achieving 50 games for Waikato joining, Victoria Makea and Chelsea Semple, who are the only two Waikato women's players to acieve this milestone.

Other players in-line for milestones this season include, Kennedy Simon (33 Games), Tanya Kalounivale (30), Leomie Kloppers (30) and Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (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 blazer game include, Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai (15), Carla Hohepa (15) and Mia Anderson (13). Finally, players who are potentially going to receive a Mooloo bell for their 10th game for the province are Claudia Hobbs (9), Kiriana Nolan (9) Jade Coates (8), Reese Andeson (8), Tafiau Fetalaiga (7) and Vici-Rose Green (7).   

Thirteen players have a chance of making their debut for the province, these players are, Hamilton Old Boys players, Roelien du Plessis, Aaliyah Konui, Kaea Nepia, Phoenix-Tiaria Todd, Melville’s, Sesilia Sakalia, Samantha Wood, Otorohanga’s, Keighley Brough, University’s Caitlyn Crozier, Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate and finally from Fiji, Bitilia Tawake.   

Waikato Head Coach, Greg Smith said “The management and I are incredibly proud and excited to announce the squad we have selected for the upcoming 2023 season. This group of athletes represents the culmination of rigorous evaluation, dedication, and teamwork. We have carefully chosen a blend of experience and fresh talent, creating a dynamic roster that showcases the depth and versatility of our team.

Each player has demonstrated exceptional skills, unwavering commitment, and a relentless drive to succeed. With this squad we believe we are ready to tackle any obstacle in our way to achieve success this season.

Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC kick their season off this weekend when they travel to Rotorua to face Bay of Plenty Volcanix at Rotorua International Stadium this Saturday (July 15), kick-off 2:05pm.

2023 Waitomo Group: Waikato Farah Plamer Cup Squad:

  1. Mia Anderson (13) University
  2. Reese Anderson (8) Hamilton Old Boys
  3. Ariana Bayler (42) Hamilton Old Boys
  4. K’Lee Begbie (5) Putaruru
  5. Keighley Brough (*) Otorohanga
  6. Caitlin Crozier (*) University
  7. Jade Coates (8) Hamilton Old Boys
  8. Roelien du Plessis (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  9. Tafiau Fetalaiga (7) Hamilton Old Boys
  10. Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland (35) Melville
  11. Vici-Rose Green (7) Hamilton Old Boys
  12. Emma-Lee Heta (41) Kihikihi
  13. Claudia Hobbs (9) University
  14. Carla Hohepa (15) Kihikihi
  15. Chyna Hohepa (36) Kihikihi
  16. Renee Holmes (22) Hamilton Old Boys
  17. Grace Houpapa-Barrett (37) Otorohanga
  18. Lela Ieremia (1) Melville
  19. Tanya Kalounivale (30) Hamilton Old Boys
  20. Leomie Kloppers (30) Hamilton Old Boys
  21. Aaliyah Konui (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  22. Victoria Makea (57) University
  23. Baylee Maniapoto (*) Hailton Old Boys
  24. Ana Marsters (15) Hamilton Old Boys
  25. Toka Natua (36) University
  26. Kaea Nepia (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  27. Lonita Ngalu-Lavemai (15) Hamilton Old Boys
  28. Te Amo Ngata-Aeroengamate (*) University
  29. Kirana Nolan (9) Kihikhi
  30. Merania Paraone (19) Kihikihi
  31. Rina Paraone (32) Kihikihi
  32. Leata Puni Lio (4) Hamilton Old Boys
  33. Silia Sakalia (*) Melville
  34. Kennedy Simon (33) Hamilton Old Boys
  35. Bitila Tawake (*) Fiji
  36. Teirea Te Aho (20) Hamilton Old Boys
  37. Esther Tilo-Faiaogo (29) Hamilton Old Boys
  38. Phoenix-Tiaria Todd (*) Hamilton Old Boys
  39. Chantae Wilson-Jenkins (3) Southern United
  40. Samantha Wood (*) Melville

() = caps for Waikato

* = uncapped


Article added: Tuesday 11 July 2023

 

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