Wellington Pride Name Strong Squad for 2023 Campaign

Wellington Pride Head Coach Fusi Feaunati has named his squad for this year’s Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings.

The squad is headlined by Oriental-Rongotai’s Rugby World Cup winning duo of Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Joanah Ngan-Woo, fresh off another campaign with the Hurricanes Poua.

Leti-I’iga and Ngan Woo are joined by Poua teammates Maddie Feaunati, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Milly Mackey and Monica Tagoai. Chiefs Manawa speedster Georgia Daals is fresh off winning the MVP medal in the the Wellington Club Final, while Angelica Schwencke (Western Force) and and Fa’alua Tugaga (Melbourne Rebels) add some more Super Rugby level experience.

“The experience our Super Rugby and International players bring is invaluable. The mix of experience and youth in the squad is exciting, and something the coaching group are looking forward to working with” said Feaunati.

Amongst the group are seven uncapped players, five of which have been named in the squad for the first time. Drenna Falaniko, Fa’alua Tugaga, Octavia Nanai-Iafeta and Petrina Foaese join the squad for the first time off the back of a successful club season with the championship winning Marist St Pats. Joining them is uncapped Ashlyn Pescini, who returns to the squad again after being named in 2022. Avalon’s Siaiga Filipo is the fifth new addition to the squad, while Petone prop Lavinia Lea returns after a stint in 2021.

“We have seven uncapped players in the squad this year who have played their way into the squad through their performance throughout the club season.”

Feaunati is pleased with the talent in the group, as well as the difficulty in selecting 30 players from such a strong Premier competition in the region.

“It’s a good problem to have, so many players in good contention for these spots. Selection wasn’t easy, but we’re confident the squad we have can go out there on any given day and do the job.”

The Wellington Pride begin their 2023 campaign on Saturday July 15^th against Canterbury in Christchurch.

2023 Wellington Pride Squad: