NRLW Dally M Medal winner Raecene McGregor will headline the NZ Kiwi Ferns team to contest the Rugby League World Cup for women in England next month.
Coach Ricky Henry has named a 24-player squad that will begin the tournament ranked second in the world, behind Australia, with three world titles to their name.
"We're excited about the players we've listed based on their current form," Henry said. "The vast majority are fresh off NRLW campaigns, adding plenty of experience to the mix of leaders and new talent.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing how we compete against top-tier international teams over in York and I want to congratulate each member of the squad on this achievement of representing our country at the World Cup."
Five-eighth McGregor, 24, has won two NRLW crowns with Brisbane Broncos, before switching to the Roosters this year, leading the competition with 10 try assists, while capturing player-of-the-year and team-of-the-year honours last week.
She represented New Zealand at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, scoring a try in a loss to Australia in the final.
Wing/centre Shanice Parker is selected fresh off her NRLW triumph with Newcastle Knights and completes a unique dual-international career that has seen her represent Australia in rugby union. Mother Danielle played for the Jillaroos at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, but Shanice has appeared for the Māori All Stars.
The NZ women will face France (November 3, NZ time), Cook Islands (November 7) and Australia (November 11) in their group, with the top two progressing to semi-finals. The final is scheduled for November 20.
NZ Kiwi Ferns: Laishon Albert-Jones, Madison Bartlett, Brianna Clark, Georgia Hale, Amber-Paris Hall, Karli Hansen, Mele Hufanga, Page McGregor, Raecene McGregor, Apii Nicholls, Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell, Nita Maynard, Mya Hill-Moana, Roxy Murdoch-Masila, Shanice Parker, Otesa Pule, Charlotte Scanlan, Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, Krystal Rota, Christyl Stowers, Crystal Tamarua, Katelyn Vaha’akolo, Kararaina Wira-Kohu
Catch live coverage of the Rugby League World Cup on Spark Sport, and free-to-air on Three and ThreeNow, or join us for live updates of all Kiwis games, beginning October 17 against Lebanon
