• Auckland are led by a new coaching staff in Head Coach Richie Walker, Backs Coach Anna Richards and Forwards Coach Craig Hall.
• Auckland is bolstered by a number of Black Ferns in their squad and the return of Linda Itunu who retired at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Richie Walker has named his first squad today since taking over the reins of Auckland’s Farah Palmer Cup side, the Storm. The 2019 team features a mixture of experienced Black Ferns and Storm players, as well as a number of new, fresh faces to the province’s flagship women’s team.

Up front, the forwards have a hardened look to them. Boasting the likes of Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Charmaine Smith and Charmaine McMenamin, all current Black Ferns, there is mobility and physicality in abundance. This all bodes well for providing a stern challenge to other sides throughout the course of the competition.

Linda Itunu also returns for another campaign with the Storm. While no longer plying her trade at the highest level, Itunu provides a wealth of experience to a young side and comes into the campaign off the back of irrepressible form at club level for the Ponsonby Fillies.

Out wide, Kiritapu and Ruahei Demant will look to provide clear direction to a young backline and unlock the undoubted talent waiting on the wings. Black Fern Natahlia Moors is one such a player to watch. After earning her maiden call-up to the national side in 2018, Moors will look to continue on her impressive form of the last 12 months in blue and white.

Players to watch include Storm rookies Grace Freeman and Isla Norman-Bell. Freeman was a steadying presence throughout the club season for College Rifles and will look to take her opportunities when, and if, presented to her.

Norman-Bell, highly touted out of Howick College, has looked the part at club level for Ponsonby and may see this campaign as more of a learning experience with the chance to continue honing her craft against the best New Zealand has to offer.

Head Coach Walker acknowledged that this was an exciting time for him personally, but also for a number of new players selected in the 2019 squad.

“Firstly, it’s a big congratulations to those who’ve made the squad for 2019. There were several tough calls to make, but we as coaching group feel that this group can progress and challenge one another, and those teams they face, throughout the competition.”

“There are a number of rookies in the team, but with that youth comes a lot of excitement and energy. They’ve all earned their spot, so it’s now up to them to show us what they can do at this level, and for us as a coaching group, to continue developing them.”

The Storm will kick-off their campaign against Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday 31 August (5.35pm KO).

The 2019 Auckland Storm squad is:

Saphire Abraham (College Rifles)

Eloise Blackwell (Eden)

Moana Cook (Ponsonby)

Roseanne Cox (College Rifles)

Kiritapu Demant (College Rifles)

Ruahei Demant (College Rifles)

Princess Elliot (Ponsonby)

Joanna Fanene (Marist)

Grace Freeman (College Rifles)

Sulieti Halafihi (Ponsonby)

Meriana Hokianga (Ponsonby)

Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)

Linda Itunu (Ponsonby)

Lose Mafi (Marist)

Patricia Maliepo (Marist)

Charmaine McMenamin (Ponsonby)

Vainga Moimoi (College Rifles)

Natahlia Moors (Ponsonby)

Daynah Nankivell (Ponsonby)

Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (College Rifles)

Isla Norman-Bell (Ponsonby)

Joeannha Naime-Purcell (Ponsonby)

Abigail Roache (Ponsonby)

Maiakawanakaulani Roos (College Rifles)

Lauren Sa’u (Marist)

Charmaine Smith (College Rifles)

Leanne Thompson (College Rifles)

Cristo Tofa (Ponsonby)

Alanis Toia-Tigafua (Ponsonby)

Leianne Tufuga (Marist)