Kalounivale set for Black Ferns debut

Former Suva Grammar student Tanya Kalounivale will make her debut for the New Zealand Black Ferns during the June Test Series.

 

The tight head prop came has been named in the Black Ferns final 31-member squad after coming from a strong Farah Palmer Cup campaign last year before she joined the chiefs for the Super Rugby Aupaki this year. 

 

Kalounivale debuted for Waikato in 2017, not long after her school days were over and is set to feature for the Black Ferns next month. 

 

According to Allblacks.com, Kalounivale recently left behind her day job to sign a professional contract for the remainder of 2022.

 

Apart from Kalounivale, other players to make their debut are new captain Ruahei Demant, Natalie Delamere, Angel Mulu, Lucy Anderson, Youngsters Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Tafito Lafaele. 

 

Black Ferns will play their first test against Australia on Monday 6 June.

 

Black Ferns squad: Luka Connor, Natalie Delamere, Georgia Ponsonby, Lucy Anderson, Tanya Kalounivale, Pip Love, Angel Mulu, Krystal Murray, Leilani Perese, Amy Rule, Chelsea Bremner, Joanah Ngan Woo, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bremner, Tafito Lafaele, Liana Mikaele Tu'u, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kendra Reynolds, Ariana Bayler, Kendra Cocksedge, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Carla Hohepa, Patricia Maliepo, Chelsea Semple, Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Grace Steinmetz, Ruby Tui

 

By Romeka Romena