• Auckland Head Coach, Richie Walker picks 14 debutants in 2020 Farah Palmer Cup squad.
• A mix of young talent and international class to take on a revised competition format.

The Auckland Storm squad will feature a mixture of young talent and experience as Head Coach, Richie Walker assembles his squad for the 2020 Farah Palmer Cup Season.

With only 8 of the 35-player squad over the age of 25, Walker will look to inject some fresh and electrifying talent into the Auckland Storm team. Auckland’s flagship Women’s team will no doubt be setting their sights on going one better than their 2019 efforts, which saw the Storm go down to a sharp Canterbury outfit in last year’s Final in Christchurch.

The revised 2020 Farah Palmer Cup competition has been split into North Island and South Island pools with the top two from each pool meeting in the semi-finals before a final at the top qualifiers home ground. The Storm will be looking to secure their home games against Waikato, Counties Manukau and Bay of Plenty while preparing to better Taranaki, Northland and North Harbour on the road.

It will be Walker’s second year leading the coaching outfit for the Auckland Storm after spending his summer in the United States. “It is exciting to return home and start another campaign in with the girls. To be able to build on the foundations from last year will be a massive help to our preparations for this season” said Walker.

With a significant amount of debut players coming into the squad, the onus to lead from the front will need to come from the veterans in the forward pack. Black Ferns Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Eloise Blackwell and Charmaine McMenamin will lead by experience with all players having racked up over 50 Farah Palmer Cup appearances. Although they may be classed as seasoned players in the domestic competition, Nelson, Blackwell and McMenamin will all be celebrating the 30th birthdays this year.

The injection of young talent in The Storm squad may be the recipe for a successful season in the Blue and White’s camp. Coach Walker has named Tamara Ati, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Luisa Togotogorua, Lovely Pulotu, Sylvia Brunt and Vineta Teutau as the some of the new debutants in this year’s squad. All still under the age of 20, their selection recognizes the depth of talent in the Auckland club competition.

Walker is eager to see the newcomers join the team, “It’s a great opportunity for the young ones and other debutants to be around the girls who have played at the top level and learn from them. It will be exciting to see how they all grow as players.”

On an immense list of young talent in the 2020 Auckland squad, Black Fern, Patricia Maliepo would undoubtedly jump out as a player to watch. The Marist Rugby Club member was awarded Auckland Storm Most Promising Player in 2019 after an impressive season at stand-off. At the seasoned age of 17, her strong presence off the tee and ability to break the line will be a significant advantage in the backline for the upcoming season.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic and some sheer will and determination, coach Walker is excited to welcome back Theresa Fitzpatrick and Shannon Leota into their Farah Palmer preparations. Both Fitzpatrick and Leota were members of the 2014 and 2015 successful Farah Palmer campaigns. Fitzpatrick has been with the Black Ferns Sevens and Leota has proven she is fit to be back at the top level after suffering a serious leg injury in 2016.

The physicality and experience of both Fitzpatrick and Leota will be well received into in already star-studded Auckland Storm squad with 11 of the 35-strong squad all involved in the Black Ferns preparations this year.

Head Coach, Walker acknowledged the work that the players have done to be selected for this year’s squad but knows that there is still a lot of learnings ahead.

“Firstly, congratulations to those who’ve made the squad for 2020. It’s great to see so much young and impressive talent in the team, they have all earned their place. It is now up everyone to challenge their teammates and their opponents throughout the competition.

As a coaching team, we can begin developing our players and assist in creating a successful campaign for the squad.”

The Auckland Storm begin their Farah Palmer Cup season against Taranaki on September 6 in Taranaki.

2020 Auckland Farah Palmer Cup Squad:

Saphire Abraham (College Rifles)

Tamara Ati (College Rifles)

Eloise Blackwell   (Ponsonby)

Sylvia Brunt (Ponsonby)

Moana Cook (Ponsonby)

Rosie Cox (College Rifles)

Taylor Curtis (Marist)

Ruahei Demant (College Rifles)

Princess Elliot (Ponsonby)

Theresa Fitzpatrick (Ponsonby)

Grace Freeman (College Rifles)

Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)

Grace Kukutai (Ponsonby)

Tafito Lafaele (Papatoetoe)

Shannon Leota (Ponsonby)

Patricia Maliepo (Marist)

Charmaine McMenamin (Ponsonby)

Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (College Rifles)

Natahlia Moors (Ponsonby)

Shannon Muru (Ponsonby)

Joeannha Naime-Purcell (Ponsonby)

Daynah Nankivell (Ponsonby)

Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (College Rifles)

Lovely Pulotu (Marist)

Lydia Quedley-Turua (Ponsonby)

Maia Roos (College Rifles)

Ti Tauasosi (Marist)

Vineta Teutau (Marist)

Cristo Tofa (Ponsonby)

Luisa Togotogorua (Marist)

Leianne Tufuga (Marist)

Mele Tu'inukuafe (Ponsonby)

Chryss Viliko (Marist)

Olivia Waldron (Marist)