Rising halves Hannah King and Maia Joseph, and lock Maama Vaipulu are all in line to play their first Black Ferns tests, after they were named in the first squad of the year.
Vaipulu was a standout for the Blues during the Super Rugby Aupiki season, while Matatū halfback Maia Joseph and Hurricanes Poua first five-eighth Hannah King were among the best emerging talents from the competition.
Powerful Blues tighthead prop also Aldora Itunu earns her first Black Ferns call-up since 2021, while converted Matatū loosehead prop Marcelle Parkes and tenacious Hurricanes Poua midfielder Monica Tagoai return for the first time since 2019 and 2018 respectively.
The most notable omission is experienced lock Chelsea Bremner. The World Cup-winning Chiefs Manawa lock was included among a 40-strong group of contracted players, but hasn't made the final squad.
Black Ferns Coach Allan Bunting has instead named younger sister Alana among his contingent of four locks.
Chiefs loose forward Kennedy Simon and Blues first-five Ruahei Demant will continue as co-captains.
Bunting says the intense nature of the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition has made for a competitive selection process.
"We are hugely excited by the squad we have selected for the Pacific Four series," he said. "We have seen these players perform strongly during Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and their selection is credit to their consistent form across the competitive season.
"This series is extremely important for us, not only to provide an opportunity to expose our new players to the international stage, but to seek qualification up for the WXV1 tournament at the end of the year."
The Black Ferns open their 2024 season on home soil, when they take on USA at Hamilton's FMG Stadium in the first test of the Pacific Four Series.
The test match will be the first of three, with the remaining two taking place at Christchurch and Auckland, which doubles as an O'Reilly Cup fixture.
"We are looking forward to the upcoming months," said Bunting. "To have the opportunity for our whānau and fans to see the team is special.
"We are excited about the challenge that lies ahead for us and we feel the support of Aotearoa when they are cheering us on."
Black Ferns Squad:
Backs: Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Amy du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Patricia Maliepo, Mererangi Paul, Grace Steinmetz, Monica Tagoai, Ruby Tui, Katelyn Vahaakolo
Forwards: Alana Bremner, Luka Connor, Kate Henwood, Aldora Itunu, Tanya Kalounivale, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Marcelle Parkes, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amy Rule, Layla Sae, Kennedy Simon (co-capt), Charmaine Smith, Leaso Grace Gago Tiatia, Maama Vaipulu, Chryss Viliko
Join Newshub at 2pm May 11 for live updates of the Black Ferns v USA Pacific Four clash
