Five rookies join five Black Ferns in 2025 Hurricanes Poua squad

New Hurricanes Poua head coach Fusi Feaunati has unveiled a new-look squad for the Super Rugby Aupiki season.

In announcing the 2025 squad, the club have also officially bid farewell to 15 of their 2024 players, including 20-year-old Black Ferns playmaker Hannah King.

With a new-look squad and a new coach comes a new direction and Feaunati outlined that vision for the 2025 season when announcing the squad.

“The Poua are prioritizing connection and growth this year. The focus is on making improvements in our on-field performance and raising expectations around performance culture.

“We’re building a team with an exciting mix of fresh talent and experience, that I believe will be fundamental in growing our performance culture. These women are already performing in FPC and have proven themselves to be hard-working, focused and ready to excel at a high-performance level.”

Jackie Patea-Fereti returns to captain the team for the third time and expressed her pride at another appointment as leader.

“It’s a huge honour to represent my Aiga in the swirl again,” remarked Patea-Fereti.

“This role isn’t something I take lightly, and my decision to continue this journey took a lot of reflection and conversations with loved ones. I’m excited about continuing this journey with Fusi (Head Coach) and the rest of the crew for 2025.”

The front row promises to be a strength for the club as former Black Fern hooker Natalie Delamere joins the ranks, along with fellow hooker Jayme Nuku. Props Esther Faiaoga-Tilo and Angel Mulu have also been named in the squad, lending further international experience to the pack.

The five Aupiki rookies named are Raedeen Blake and former Black Fern Forne Burkin ( Hawke’s Bay), Lavinia Lea (Wellington), Payton Takimoana (Bay of Plenty) and former Manusina Samoa player Cassie Siataga (Tasman).

Hurricanes Poua Squad for 2025

Te Rauoriwa Gapper – Canterbury

Isabella Waterman – Canterbury

Denise Aiolupotea – Hawke’s Bay

Forne Burkin – Hawke’s Bay

Olioli Mua – Hawke’s Bay

Leilani Hakiwai – Hawke’s Bay

Teilah Ferguson – Hawke’s Bay

Raedeen Blake – Hawke’s Bay

Iritana Hohaia – Taranaki

Ngano Taveke – Manawat?

Samantha Taylor – Manawat?

Elinor-Plum King – Manawat?

Layla Sae – Manawat?

Paige Lush – Manawat?

Rangimarie Sturmey – Manawat?

Kahurangi Sturmey – Manawat?

Jayme Nuku - Manawat?

Payton Takimoana – Bay of Plenty

Natalie Delamere – Bay of Plenty

Angel Mulu – Bay of Plenty

Lavinia Lea – Wellington

Jackie Patea-Fereti – Wellington

Joanah Ngan Woo – Wellington

Shakira Baker – Wellington

Monica Tagoai – Wellington

Harmony Kautai – Wellington

Ayesha Leti-I’iga – Wellington

Esther Faiaoga-Tilo - Waikato

Cassie Siataga – Tasman