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Find your frequencyKiwi Ferns’ familiar core brings confidence to World Cup opener
Sport Nation • October 14th, 2026 2:24 pm
Kiwi Ferns co-captains Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor | Photo: Fiona Goodall/Photosport
The Kiwi Ferns head into Sunday’s World Cup opener against Fiji with a familiar core, strong squad, energy and a clear focus on laying the foundations for their campaign.
Assistant coach David Faiumu believes the team has arrived in camp with the quality to make the most of the tournament and apply the pressure, especially to the Jillaroos.
“The girls got into camp a couple of days ago and straight off the bat it was a really good feeling, a really good energy from the girls,” he told Sport Nation.
“Obviously from a staff point of view, we knew the calibre of players that we were going to be working with this year was of the highest regard.
“We're excited, the girls are energised and we've had a couple of light runs so far here in Newcastle and everyone's raring to go so all guns blazing at the moment.”
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The squad has had to find ways to connect during a busy NRLW season, with much of the preparation happening remotely.
“It is hard during the hectic NRLW season trying to connect up and most of it is online and phone calls, plenty of teams meetings and we've had one connection in Auckland and Sydney throughout the year.
“We've kind of been building for the last two, three years with the squad. There's been a few come and go, but we've kept the core group in the squad here, which is exciting and pleasing to see.”
That continuity, alongside the talent across the squad, has given the coaches plenty of options.
"A lot to choose from, a bit of a headache for the coaches to try and pick a team and trying to pick a back five.
“Toing and froing, who do we pick now and who do we leave out? It's a nightmare.”
Gayle Broughton was one of the player not selected for the team | Photo: Photosport
With the team now named, the focus turns towards Fiji, a side Faiumu expects will be unpredictable and challenge the Kiwi Ferns physically.
“They won't leave any stones unturned, and they'll throw the kitchen sink at us.
“Physically they'll come at us through the middle and then they'll spread that ball out to their really fast, crafty kind of outside backs and halves.
“We have to expect everything and anything come Sunday,” he explained.
Kiwi Ferns in 2025 | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Faiumu says the opening match will be about setting standards and laying foundations for the tournament, rather than expecting everything to click straight away.
“It's gonna be clunky and it's not gonna be perfect, so I think we can build towards where we wanna get to.
“Our big focus is really around us and what we do and how we play this weekend.
“Getting our standards, getting our systems, laying down the foundations for our World Cup and it doesn't have to be perfect, and it won't be perfect but certain things we want to hit the mark this weekend.”
Kiwi Ferns squad v Fiji:
Apii Nicholls, Leianne Tufuga, Mele Hufanga, Abigail Roache, Stacey Waaka, Zahara Temara, Raecene McGregor, Otesa Pule, Georgia Hale, Shannon Mato, Annessa Biddle, Kaiyah Atai, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Ashleigh Quinlan, Alexis Tauaneai, Ivana Lauitiiti, Brianna Clark, Brooke Anderson, Shaniece Monschau, Tenika Willison, Shanice Parker, Chantay Kiria-Ratu
Listen to the full interview below:
