Whio welcome Broughton

 

Will Johnston

 

The Port Taranaki Whio rugby team has been bolstered by the return of Black Ferns Sevens playmaker Gayle Broughton for this year’s Farah Palmer Cup, which starts this weekend.

 

Broughton played 112 games on the World Sevens circuit and scored 315 points.  Her experience is a huge boost for the Whio, which is still yet to win a game in the competition.

 

With the Olympics postponed, Broughton moved back to her hometown of Hawera and played club rugby for Southern, who won the women’s club competition.

 

The 24-year-old will join former Sevens Youth Olympic Sevens representatives Iritana Hohaia and Taiana Davison, who has returned from Manawatu.

 

Former England halfback and now Taranaki Rugby women’s high-performance manager La Toya Mason said the province was blessed to have Broughton in the side.

 

“Gayle brings a lot of rugby experience and is good to have around the team environment. We have gone with a squad of young girls mixed with a few more experienced players, this has brought a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to training,” she said.

 

Captain Jalan Smith, Sharee Brown, Kate Parkinson, Leah Barnard and Brooke Sim are no strangers to the challenges of the competition and have played for the Whio for the last two seasons – some even back when they re-joined the competition in 2013.

 

Four secondary school players were selected in the squad, after strong club seasons. New Plymouth Girls’ High School students Chloe Sampson, Paige Neilson and Kelsyn McCook were given the nod by new coach Brendan Haami. They join Sacred Heart Girls’ College’s Danielle Muggeridge.

 

Haami said he was excited for the season ahead.

 

“Collectively we are committed to growing women’s rugby and providing opportunities for our local players on the national stage.

 

“As an aspiring rugby player, what a great opportunity to measure yourself by playing against some of the best female players in New Zealand – it doesn’t get much better than that,” he said.

 

Haami replaces Matt Stone in the top job and will be joined by Devon Berry and Mason forming a strong coaching trio.

 

Taranaki hosts Auckland on Sunday at Inglewood’s TET Stadium.

 

Port Taranaki Whio squad:

Leah Barnard, Gayle Broughton, Sharee Brown, Tiana Davison, Freedom Edmonds, Chelsea Fowler, Tachelle Gardiner, Natale Haupapa, Iritana Hohaia, Kaya-Rose Kahui, Donia King, Alicia Manuuiriangi, Kelsyn McCook, Victoria McCullough, Hannah McLean, Danielle Muggeridge, Paige Neilson, Jaymi Ngaia, Kate Parkinson, Chloe Sampson, Brooke Sim, Lyn Smith, Jalana Smith, Kate Thomson, Catriona Tulloch, Aliene Wallis, Sharniqua Weston, Nicole Whittle, Sarah Winter

Coaches: Brendan Haami (Head coach), Devon Berry (Forwards coach), La Toya Mason (Backs coach)

 

Taranaki v Auckland

Sunday, September 6

12pm, TET Stadium & Events Centre

 

Waikato v Taranaki

Saturday, September 12

11.35am, FMG Stadium Waikato

 

Taranaki v North Harbour

Saturday, September 19

2.45pm, TET Stadium & Events Centre

 

Bay of Plenty v Taranaki

Saturday, September 26

2pm, Blake Park, Tauranga

 

Taranaki BYE

Saturday 3 October

 

Northland v Taranaki

Sunday, October 11

12.30pm, Kaikohe RFC

 

Taranaki v Counties Manukau

Saturday, October 17

2pm, TET Stadium & Events Centre