The Black Ferns and New Zealand Māori squads for the November tours have been confirmed.
The world champion wahine have added three new names to the squad which will play the USA as part of the historic triple-header in Chicago, before they travel to France for two tests.
Head coach Glenn Moore has called in a trio of promising backs in Ayesha Leti-I'iga (Wellington), 19-year-old Kilisitina Moata'ane (Otago) and Natahlia Moors (Auckland). Each had stand out season for their respective Farah Palmer Cup sides.
Meanwhile, the Māori All Blacks have bought in nine new faces; hooker Robbie Abel, locks Isaia Walker-Leawere and giant Pari Pari Parkinson (who stands at 2.04cm), loose forwards Hoani Matenga, Billy Harmon, and Mitchell Karpik, first five-eighth Joshua Ioane, midfielder Matthew Landsown and outside back Jonah Lowe.
They'll play against the US in Chicago before matches in Brazil and Chile.
Unwanted by the All Blacks, Auckland number eight Akira Ioane has also been included. His avilabvility was a welcome surprise for coach Clayton McMillan.
"We didn't really anticipate Akira being involved with us and he's going to be a significant boost for our team," McMillan said.
"We're all well aware of his strengths and we'll welcome him into our fold with open arms."
Five players will join them in South America from the wider All Blacks squad in Japan: Tyrel Lomax, Jackson Hemopo, Bryn Hall, Matt Proctor and Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Settling on a squad had been a tricky proposition in light of the All Blacks' extended 51-man group for Japan and Europe.
"It had its challenges,but the All Blacks management and coaching staff have been extremely open around who might become available to us, post the Japan commitments," he said.
"So we feel very fortunate that we've been able to name five people that have been named in the All Blacks, to join us post that game."
Black Ferns: Eloise Blackwell, Les Elder, Fiao'o Faamausili (c), Aldora Itunu, Linda Itunu, Pip Love, Charmaine McMenamin, Aleisha Nelson, Joanah Ngan-Woo*, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Marcelle Parkes*, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Leilani Perese, Aroha Savage, Charmaine Smith, Cristo Tofa, Chelsea Alley, Kendra Cocksedge (vc), Krysten Cottrell, Kiritapu Demant, Ruahei Demant, Ayesha Leti-I'iga*, Kilisitina Moata'ane*, Natahlia Moors*, Kristina Sue, Monica Tagoai*, Stacey Waaka, Renee Wickliffe, Selica Winiata (vc). * Denotes debutant.
New Zealand Māori: Chris Eves, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Marcel Renata, Ross Wright, Robbie Abel*, Ash Dixon (c), Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Isaia Walker-Leawere*, Billy Harmon*, Akira Ioane, Mitchell Karpik*, Hoani Matenga*, Reed Prinsep, Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru, Brad Weber, Otere Black, Joshua Ioane*, Matthew Lansdown*, Matt Proctor, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Jonah Lowe*, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Shaun Stevenson*. Travelling as a replacement for the USA leg only is Canterbury wing Caleb Makene. * Denotes debutant.
American tour: USA in Chicago on November 4 (12pm NZ time), Brazil in Sao Paulo on November 11 (11am NZ time), Chile in Las Condes on November 18 (9am NZ time).
Northern tour: USA in Chicago on November 4 (6am NZ time), France in Toulon on November 10 (9am NZ time), France in Grenoble November 17 (2:30am NZ time).
Newshub.
