Black Ferns sensation Selica Winiata joins in with the Chiefs

  • 28/03/2017

Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata has been training with the high-flying Chiefs in order to prepare for a big year that includes the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

Dropped from the Black Ferns Sevens before their 2016 Rio Olympic campaign, Winiata has excelled in fifteens, scoring a bag of tries against Australia at the end of last season.

Winiata said it was important to spend some time around the best in order to improve her game and hone her focus on the year ahead.

"This year's a big year for the Black Ferns," Winiata told Newshub.

"We've got the World Cup and you look at some of the teams that have been playing Six Nations, they're getting a lot of games under their belts. For us, that's not the case, so it was about how I can make myself better, sharpen up in certain areas.

"I thought 'hey get in contact with friends, see if I can come into the Chiefs camp' and he was more than happy for me to come in so here I am."

While the men's and women's games are tactically very different, Winiata said it was important that she could handle what may be coming against teams like England and France, who've just finished playing the Women's Six Nations.

"Playing fullback, the high ball, we don't get a lot in the woman's game but you just don't know what may come about come World Cup so that's one area. Still catch pass and just looking to see how I can make myself a better player.

One of the smaller players on the Black Ferns squad, Winiata is also one of the quickest, developing a reputation as a prolific try-scorer.

And she says the advice offered by Damian McKenzie, who is also one of the smallest players on the Chiefs side, has been invaluable.

"I'm not the biggest person on the field I think that's where the likes of Damian has been really helpful, he's not the biggest either. So it's quite cool to see where he comes from and to get some tips from him."

Newshub.