Katelyn Vahaakolo among new faces named in Black Ferns Sevens squad

A "new sunrise" for the Black Ferns Sevens is underway with three new faces named in the team's first tournament squad of the 2024/25 SVNS season.

Black Ferns superstar Katelyn Vahaakolo is one of those three newbies named for the Dubai series opener, injecting X-factor into a team missing familiar star talent in Michaela Blyde (leave), Shiray Kaka (injury), Tysha Ikenasio (injury) and Stacey Waaka (injury).

Also helping to cover the absentees are aspiring talents Justine McGregor and Olive Watherston, who are 18 and 20 years old respectively, with impressive FPC campaigns helping to earn them debut selections with the reigning Olympic champions.

“Justine has been with us for a year now, and while she hasn’t debuted, she has attended a number of international tournaments and she is really determined to take her opportunity,” Coach Cory Sweeney said of the selections.

“Olive was injured for a lot of the FPC but we saw a few weeks ago at the Sarah Hirini Cup, she has amazing work rate, energy and a real relentlessness about her game; she’s an exciting talent.”

The coach was also very excited to have one of the brightest young stars of the 15s world joining.

“Katelyn’s focus is Rugby World Cup next year but it’s a perfect opportunity to bring her in, introduce her to the sevens environment and hopefully help her 15s pre-season. She is a strong learner, has huge energy and wants to know as much as she can. On the field she is strong, physical, fast, has great feet and can make a whole lot out of nothing.”

Kelly Brazier is in line for a potential milestone in the Cape Town tournament the week following Dubai, with 48 tournaments in her pocket already and eyeing the magic 50th.

Brazier is one of the experienced athletes in the squad, including captain Sarah Hirini and vice-captain Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.

The team grew into the season throughout their 2023\24 campaign, but coach Sweeney was eager to keep past results in perspective heading into a new campaign with new names.

“This is a new sunrise for this group. We have been really successful, but this is a blank canvas, and we want to try to play slightly differently. We are without some big names, but we have new energy, and everyone is ready to put their best foot forward.”

The Black Ferns Sevens team is:

Kelly Brazier

Dhys Faleafaga

Jazmin Felix-Hotham

Sarah Hirini (c)

Justine McGregor (debut)

Jorja Miller

Manaia Nuku

Mahina Paul

Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (vc)

Theresa Setefano

Alena Saili

Kelsey Teneti

Katelyn Vahaakolo (debut)

Olive Watherston (debut)