New Zealand Rugby has selected 43 players for a women’s 15s emerging players camp in February next year.

The selected players will be invited to the camp in Palmerston North on 2 and 3 February as New Zealand Rugby (NZR) continues to build strength and depth in the 15-a-side game.

The squad features an exciting group of young players, including Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup star fullback Olivia McGoverne and 2018 Youth Olympic Games rugby sevens gold medallists Hinemoa Watene, Kalyn Takitimu-Cook, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Kiani Tahere and Carys Dallinger.

Mererangi Paul, who won one of three opportunities to attend the Black Ferns Sevens National Development Camp in the New Year at the recent Red Bull Ignite 7 tournament in Auckland, is also named in the squad.

Recently capped Black Ferns players Natahlia Moors, Marcelle Parkes, Monica Tagoai and Ayesha Leti-I'iga and contracted Black Ferns players Joanah Ngan Woo, Kilisitina Moata'ane and Grace Brooker have also all been seected and invited to attend.

Black Ferns Assistant Coach and Development Manager, Wesley Clarke, congratulated the players selected and said camps like this one play an important part in developing potential future international players.

"This camp is about widening our network of upcoming players. We’re really excited about the group of players who have been selected ad invited to this camp and as coaches we can’t wait to get to work with them. Some of the group have been in camps before, but we’re looking forward to seeing what everyone brings."

Clarke said the level of talent he and his selectors are seeing has taken a step up.

"We’re seeing highly skilled players at younger and younger levels and their technical and tactical knowledge is really sharp. Young girls now see a genuine pathway through to the Olympics and World Cups and they want to be part of it," he said.

The players selected and invited to attend the women’s 15s emerging players camp are:

Natahlia Moors / Auckland

Hinemoa Watene / Auckland

Joanna Fanene / Auckland

Lily Florence / Bay of Plenty

Luka Connor / Bay of Plenty

Jade Tuliepa / Bay of Plenty

Tynealle Fitzgerald / Bay of Plenty

Mererangi Paul / Bay of Plenty

Kiani Tahere / Bay of Plenty

Forne Burkin / Canterbury

Alana Bremner / Canterbury

Georgia Ponsonby / Canterbury

Cassie Siataga / Canterbury

Grace Brooker / Canterbury

Grace Steinmetz / Canterbury

Olivia McGoverne / Canterbury

Isabella Waterman / Canterbury

Harono Iringa / Counties Manukau

Ariana Marino / Counties Manukau

Emily Kitson / Counties Manukau 

Amorangi Malasala / Counties Manukau

Jessica Pease / Manawatu

Kalyn Takitimu-Cook / Manawatu

Carys Dallinger / Manawatu

Olivia Ward-Duin / North Harbour

Pia Tapsell / North Harbour

Kate Williams / North Harbour

Tegan Hollows / Otago

Georgia Mason / Otago

Morgan Henderson / Otago

Kilisitina Moata'ane / Otago

Tanya Kalounivale / Waikato

Karli Faneva / Waikato

Kennedy Simon / Waikato

Grace Houpapa Barrett / Waikato

Rina Paraone / Waikato

Isadora Toalima Laupola / Wellington

Angel Uila / Wellington

Joanah Ngan Woo / Wellington

Marcelle Parkes / Wellington

Monica Tagoai / Wellington

Ayesha Leti-I'iga / Wellington

Dhys Faleafaga / Wellington