With the final Laurie O'Reilly Cup test against Australia and the inaugural WXV 1 tournament to close out 2023, Ruby Tui will make her Black Ferns return for the first time since last year's Rugby World Cup victory on home soil.
Tui, 31, took an overseas sevens sabbatical to start 2023, but a successful return to provincial rugby with Counties Manukau has seen her back on the Black Ferns radar.
As well as Tui, lock Charmaine Smith returns to the Black Ferns for the first time since 2019, after a standout season with Northland in the Farah Palmer Cup.
In the forwards, Auckland prop Chryss Viliko has been handed a first call-up, joining Kate Henwood and Krystal Murray as specialist looseheads.
Fresh from Auckland's NPC triumph, Viliko will be joined by teammate Sophie Fisher, called up among the tighthead stocks.
Manawatu's Layla Sae is a new face among the loose forwards, as one of five named by coach Allan Bunting and his selectors, while Canterbury wing Martha Mataele is the only potential debutant among the backs.
"It has been a very tough selection for our coaching group, which demonstrates the growth in our women's game and a reflection our depth is certainly building," said Bunting.
"Our new players have really stood out in several important behaviours we value, all of which we have been looking for in this year's Farah Palmer Cup.
"It is an exciting opportunity for them to come on this journey and look to continue their growth, both on and off the field. The future of our internal competition is exciting to see."
The Black Ferns will face Australia, before taking on France, Canada and England in the WXV 1.
Black Ferns squad:
Forwards: Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Luka Connor, Natalie Delamere, Sophie Fisher, Kate Henwood, Lucy Jenkins, Tanya Kalounivale, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Krystal Murray, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amy Rule, Layla Sae, Kennedy Simon, Charmaine Smith, Chryss Viliko,
Backs: Ariana Bayler, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes, Rosie Kelly, Patricia Maliepo, Arihana Marino-Tauhinu, Martha Mataele, Mererangi Paul, Ruby Tui, Katelyn Vahaakolo
