Chiefs Women head coach Allan Bunting has named 11 Bay of Plenty representatives in his 27-strong squad for the upcoming 2022 Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Ten of the 27 talented players selected will be in line to make their Chiefs debut when the competition kicks off next year.

The exciting squad has a wealth of experience with 16 current or former Black Ferns, alongside four current Black Ferns Sevens players who will link up again with their former coach Allan Bunting.

Chiefs Country is well represented with a further 10 players from Waikato selected, four from Counties Manukau with the remaining three players joining from outside the region.

An additional player will be named following the Black Ferns end of year tour to complete the 28-player squad.

Chiefs Women's head coach Allan Bunting says he's fortunate to be able to select an abundance of experienced players alongside some outstanding developing youngsters.

'We are certainly blessed with the talent we have in our squad,” he says.

'A lot of genuine experience at the highest level balanced out with exciting younger talent and potential. We have the added benefit that a number of players have the ability to play more than one position, which is always a bonus.”

Bunting says he hopes to achieve a culture and environment that would encourage the group to express their potential.

'With this group we have the opportunity to create a tightly connected, very competitive environment where we can truly make the most of what is in front of us and most importantly enjoy doing it.”

Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Michael Collins says he is thrilled with the squad selected and was eager to see what they can produce on the field.

'We are privileged to be able to select the vast majority of our Chiefs Women's squad from an exceptional talent pool within Chiefs Country,” says Collins.

'The squad has a healthy balance of x-factor, experience and hard workers, which I am sure will provide healthy competition among the group as they prepare and take part in Super Rugby Aupiki.

'We know our Chiefs fans will be thrilled with the squad selected and will be eager to see the mix of experience and youthful talent on display when the competition commences.”

2022 Chiefs Women's Squad:

(With Province and Chiefs caps in brackets, Chiefs debutants in bold)

Props

Tanya Kalounivale (Waikato, 1)

Angel Mulu (Bay of Plenty, 1)

Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Waikato, 1)

Santo Taumata (Bay of Plenty, *)

Jayjay Taylor (Bay of Plenty, *)

Hookers

Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty, 1)

Grace Houpapa-Barrett (Waikato, 1)

Locks/ Loose Forwards

Victoria Edmonds (Waikato, *)

Les Elder (Bay of Plenty, 1)

Chyna Hohepa (Waikato, 1)
Kendra Reynolds (Bay of Plenty, 1)
Kennedy Simon (Waikato, 1)

Pia Tapsell (Bay of Plenty, 1)

Harono Te Iringa (Counties Manukau, 1)

Kelsie Wills (Bay of Plenty, 1)

Halfbacks
Ariana Baylor (Waikato, 1)

Maia Joseph (Otago, *)
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau, 1)

First Five-Eighths
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty, *)

Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau, 1)

Midfield/ Outside Backs
Chelsea Alley (Waikato, 1)

Georgia Daals (Wellington, *)

Stacey Fluhler (Waikato, *)
Carla Hohepa (Waikato, *)
Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty, *)
Renee Wickliffe (Bay of Plenty, 1)

Portia Woodman (Northland, *)