There's an Eastern Bay flavour in the Black Ferns World Cup squad announced this week.
Ōpōtiki's Luka Connor and Murupara's Natalie Delamere have been named in the 32-player side for next month's World Cup. Ruatoki's Stacey Fluhler and Te Kaha's Ruahei Demant have also been picked in the side.
Demant was also named the co-captain alongside Waikato's Kennedy Simon.
Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith says, he's picked a squad he believes can play a style that reflects what New Zealanders are all about.
“We’ve talked a lot this year about wanting to play an exhilarating style of rugby and we have seen that developing throughout the year. We want to play on top of the opposition and that requires a certain set of skills that we have been working really hard on,”
"This year we saw a fast, open and exciting style of game played across the country. Teams were playing with a huge attacking intent which was pleasing to see, and there are a number of players who really cemented their selection in this squad off the back of their FPC form." Smith says.
In Pool A of the World Cup, the Black Ferns will play Australia (8th October), Wales (16th October) and Scotland (22nd October).