Welcome to the new era; the first Kiwi Ferns squad named after the NRL Women's competition. The momentum from the success of NRLW now flows into a trans-Tasman clash between Aotearoa's Kiwi Ferns and Australia's Jillaroos, which for Aotearoa means that the NRLW Premiership winning #KiwiNRL wahine from Brisbane Broncos will be riding that wave all the way back to Auckland.

A massive congratulations to the following players who have been named in the Kiwi Ferns team to take on the Jillaroos on Oct 13 at Mt Smart Stadium #EarnTheFern #WahineToa Tickets from $35 | Link in bio

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The Broncos relied heavily on their wahine from Aotearoa throughout their four-game campaign and all but one of their #KiwiNRL wahine have earned Kiwi Ferns selection; Ngatokotoru Arakua, Karley Te Kawa, Kimiora Nati, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Maitua Feterika, Lavinia Gould and Lilieta Maumau.

This leaves Rona Peters as the only Broncos wahine to not earn Kiwi Ferns selection, which is fair given Peters long history as a Kiwi Fern and she's a certified OG of kiwi rugby league. I must also send out a chur to Lavinia Gould who I consistently overlooked in my #KiwiNRL wahine yarns thanks to my poor research and with Gould in the mix, the Broncos had seven wahine lace up in all four games of their undefeated NRLW campaign.

Gould had previously played for Aotearoa's Black Ferns and isn't the only wahine to move from rugby union to league, enjoying great success and thriving with further professional opportunities. Honey Hireme was exceptional for St George Illawara Dragons with a Black Ferns history, while Onjeurlina Leiataua (Warriors) also cracked the Black Ferns earlier in her career and this is her first time named in the Kiwi Ferns.

Lilieta Maumau has earned Kiwi Ferns selection despite not playing a game for the Broncos, although she has previously represented Aotearoa. Having had to sit out the NRLW because of Brisbane's excellent forward pack depth, Maumau will again be stuck behind Ngatokotoru Arakua who was consistently one of the Broncos best through the middle. With Warriors duo Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala and Aieshaleigh Smalley also selected, there's no shortage of oomph and the presence of Brisbane's edge forward combo in Teuila Fotu-Moala and Maitua Feterika only reinforces this.

The play-making spine will also be a huge point of excitement for Aotearoa with Apii Nicholls a certainty at fullback, while Laura Mariu, Raecene McGregor and Kimiora Nati will compete for two halves spots. Nita Maynard started at hooker for the Roosters in the Grand Final and should get that gig for the Ferns with her lively running out of dummy half complimenting the tempo offered by the big boppers.

In the next week, I'll put together 'Meet the Kiwi Ferns' which will run through every player selected and provide some background information. Keep an eye out for that and until then, all you need to know is that Brisbane Broncos dominated NRLW, went undefeated and did so rolling out seven #KiwiNRL who have now been selected for the Kiwi Ferns. That's form.

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Peace and love 27.