Kiwi Ferns making most of opportunities   6 Nov 2014

Dedication is a word often loosely used around sports teams, but when it comes to the Kiwi Ferns league team, there is no word truer.

Experienced league coach and Kiwi Ferns boss Rusty Matua believes his squad has more dedication and spirit than any team he's ever been involved with, and public recognition of that may finally have arrived.

"I love coaching this team and love coaching women's teams," says Matua. "These girls want to train, want to sacrifice - there are no prima donnas.

"The commitment to the Kiwi Ferns is undeniable. I've had players who haven't even made the final cut, driving from the North Shore to south Auckland, just to train and get better."

The Kiwi Ferns may well get some appreciation of their talents when they take on the Australian Jillaroos in front of a packed WIN Stadium on Saturday, as curtainraiser for the Kangaroos v Toa Samoa.

"It's going to be fantastic for the girls to play in front of a big crowd," says Matua. "I'm sure there are a lot of Samoan supporters who I think will support us rather than the Aussies - we have a number of girls with Samoan heritage in our team.

"Also, playing in the NRL Auckland Nines next year is huge. It's great recognition for the team and for the sport.

"I don't think people realize just what it means to me, the girls and the players. It means a lot to the team to be recognised, whether in a big test environment or for the Nine's

"I think it gives them even more pride."

Some notable players in the team include Honey Hireme from Counties Manukau, who is also Black Fern rugby player, while the team has three sisters - Rona, Kahurangi and Hilda Peters.

The squad includes 19-year-old Krystal Murray and Sita Kuruyabaki who is under an injury cloud, from the Central Vipers. There's also a player who not only puts her body on the line, but has gone to great lengths to be part of the team.

"Chloe Leaupepe (niece of former Samoan rugby player George Leaupepe) paid her own way back to New Zealand to play in the national champs for the Auckland Invitation team and made the sacrifice to return to Auckland, paying her own way for a training camp," says Matua.

"We offered to assist her, but she was so determined to make the team and committed to representing her country, she turned down our offer."

The team has been spending time together at an inner-city Auckland marae, before they journey to Wollongong for Saturday's game.

The Kiwi Ferns squad is

Shontelle Dudley* (Counties Manukau), Maitua Feterika* (Counties Manukau), Sarina Fiso (Counties Manukau), Teuila Fotu-Moala* (Counties Manukau), Honey Hireme (Counties Manukau), Iriana Huriwai-Sasulu* (Counties Manukau), Sita Kuruyabaki* (Mid Central), Chloe Leaupepe* (Auckland Invitational), Kelly Maipi (Counties Manukau), Laura Mariu (Counties Manukau), Lillietta Maumau* (Auckland Invitational), Krystal Murray* (Mid Central), Hilda Peters* (Counties Manukau), Kahurangi Peters (Counties Manukau), Rona Peters (Counties Manukau), Charlotte Scanlan (Akarana), Atawhai Tupaea* (Counties Manukau), Sharnita Woodman (Counties Manukau)

The Kiwi Ferns have two training sessions scheduled for Thursday, November 6, before leaving for Sydney on Friday.

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