1 WELCOME MESSAGES WELCOME MESSAGES 2 WELCOME MESSAGES NEW ZEALAND RUGBY DOWNER ADIDAS Kia ora koutou, At Downer, we are adidas welcomes you Next year is full of opportunities. An opportunity huge supporters of to the Trusts Arena, to On behalf of New Zealand for change. An opportunity for action. An women’s rugby in witness the Black Ferns opportunity to lead the way and be a force Rugby, I am pleased to New Zealand and as take on the New Zealand welcome the Black Ferns and for positive change in the world. adidas is proud partners of the Black Ferns we couldn’t be Barbarians. While this committed to creating an equal playing field the New Zealand Barbarians, happier to be a part of this exciting series! year it is not as we all the match officials and all the and equal opportunities for all, for diversity had initially planned, safe to say, we’ve been and inclusion. We are extremely excited for the rugby supporters to The Trusts Arena in Waitakere This partnership between Downer and craving this moment for a long time. for today’s match, presented by Downer. New Zealand Rugby is more than just an journey we will take with the Black Ferns in 2021, opportunity for us to support rugby at the Today, we are ready for sport once more. And and you should be too. This is a very special occasion for rugby as we highest level. The values of New Zealand Rugby perhaps today, this match means something a host six teams including the Defence Ferns v This match perhaps means something to each of and Downer align. Together we have been little more to each of us. That true excitement of us that we haven’t had in recent years. That true New Zealand Police, and Tonga v Samoa - a working to promote high performance and the sport. How it makes us feel. How it can bring Rugby World Cup 2021 qualifying match. Today excitement of when the whistle blows. Of almost acceptance of individuality and the strength of people together. Safely of course. We missed seeing it renewed. How it can make us feel. How fans will have a taste of the excitement we are in everyone’s differences. rugby. And this is our moment to be reminded for next year when New Zealand hosts Rugby it can bring people together. Safely of course. how magical this game, and these teams really The start of an exciting journey. World Cup 2021. We will continue to showcase our partnership to are. The Black Ferns vs New Zealand Barbarians make a positive impact on the code, the players, match unites the sense of tradition and love of the So the Black Ferns are ready. And raring to go. The 2020 Black Ferns were named last week, and our people, the fans and the wider sporting this new side is full of experienced players and core values of the Game, a special occasion for And so, are we. community in New Zealand. all. Bringing us back to the life we love both as new up and coming talent, led by new captain We hope everyone stays safe and enjoys the game. Eloise Blackwell. To run out on the field in a black athletes and fans; the camaraderie, excitement, jersey for the first time is a moment players never BROOKE DAHLBERG banter, victories and setbacks. Join us @adidasrugby in showing the team our collective support with the hashtag forget. The New Zealand Barbarians also boast General Manager Equally, this game represents an important #ReadyForSport some of the country’s best players and will be - Business Excellence & Reputation milestone on the road to the 2021 Rugby World determined to catch the eye of selectors. Cup set to take place next year in New Zealand. Thank you to the sponsors and partners of the Providing an exciting chance for the team to CELINE DEL GENES Black Ferns as their support for rugby is essential grow and develop and ensure it is the strongest Global Vice President in making today’s matches possible. This has possible position going into the year ahead with - General Manager Specialist Sports been a very challenging year and through our the World Cup kicking off in ten months’ time. collective efforts and commitment to rugby we can all be here today to enjoy live sport. Our thanks also go to The Trusts Arena for all the hard work that’s gone into ensuring today’s triple header is a great event for fans, partners and teams. And, I acknowledge the fantastic contribution of the many volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make these matches possible. Lastly, I want to thank all our match officials who are an essential part of the contest. I hope you all enjoy the rugby. BILL OSBORNE New Zealand Rugby President www.allblacks.com BLACK FERNS V NZ BARBARIANS 2020 OFFICIAL PROGRAMME HEAR PUMA MORE FEEL MORE Award Winning All-New Ford Puma. 2020 Autocar Awards: Game Changer, UK 2020 WhatCar? Car of the Year, UK UNLIMITED Official Headphones of the All Blacks visit ford.co.nz for more information. nura.co FOR5926 Puma Launch 148x210mm.indd 1 27/08/20 9:55 AM 5 EDITORIAL EDITORIAL 6 We are just 10 months out from cope under set-piece heat and was a standout in the trial, the the 2021 Women’s Rugby World fast line speed from motivated versatile allround talent that is Cup in New Zealand, when the opponents. loose forward Marcelle Parkes Black Ferns will defend the title they and the Otago Spirit’s midfield have won no less than five times in “We are now less than a year away rock Kilisitina Moata’ane. the last six tournaments. from Rugby World Cup and we have a clear goal. Talents who first made their name Time is short, meaning this in sevens include Carys Dallinger two-match series between the Throughout the Farah Palmer Cup, and Lyric Faleafaga in the backs. Black Ferns and the NZ Barbarians we’ve been looking for athletes Lock Cindy Nelles, who scored assumes vital importance for the who fit the type of rugby we the last gasp match-winner in the players and fringe squad members, want to play and we knew there Farah Palmer Cup final, has 19 not to mention Glenn Moore and would be a lot of new faces in the caps for Canada. Watch out, too, his coaching staff. Black Ferns this year. It’s exciting for 17-year-old Auckland Storm first to see the talent coming through,” five/fullback Patricia Maliepo, who In lieu of what was to be a packed says Moore. was still finishing her exams and international programme in 2020 – studies at Southern Cross Campus Covid-19 scuppered those plans – The New Zealand Barbarians just weeks ago, but is already the Black Ferns will be able to build club, now in its 83rd year, fosters earmarked as a rare talent. on what they showed as individuals women’s and grassroots rugby. during the Farah Palmer Cup and a high quality trial featuring the Probables versus the Possibles. WE ARE NOW LESS THAN After a promising 2019 which yielded a 5-1 record and a sweep “A YEAR AWAY FROM of the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy series, the Black Ferns RUGBY WORLD CUP AND feature a new captain, lock Eloise Blackwell, in place of the injured WE HAVE A CLEAR GOAL Les Elder, and 10 new players. There is plenty to be excited about for the good rugby folk of west The first Barbarians women’s team The captain is Canterbury’s Alana was formed in 2019 and played the Bremner, fresh from raising the” FPC Auckland and Nelson. Black Ferns in a non-first class hit silverware aloft with her province. Natahlia Moors on the charge for Injuries to the outside backs, in out in Auckland. the Possibles during the Black Ferns particular, have seen call-ups for Barbarians coach Rodney Gibbs trial match on November 7 rookies Grace Steinmetz, Renee Club President, former All Black has already spoken about how Holmes, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Alan ‘AJ’ Whetton, is looking he wants his players to give more Langi Veainu and Amy du Plessis, forward to the squad doing the headaches to the Black Ferns all of whom performed strongly in famous scarlet jersey proud: selectors by the time this series the Farah Palmer Cup. winds up in Nelson. “Rugby and all sport has been In the pack, alongside a hard core so badly affected by Covid this It should make for a fascinating of experience, enters Chelsea year, so to be able to watch a series which you should watch Bremner, Tanya Kalounivale, New Zealand Barbarians side take closely if you want to stay informed EDITORIAL: on the best players in the country ahead of a massive 2021 for Ilisapetu Molia, Kendra Reynolds and former Commonwealth games in two matches will be really women’s rugby in this country. beach volleyballer Kelsie Wills. special. It will be a fantastic way to Again, all were FPC standouts. celebrate women’s rugby and the BLACKS FERNS v history of the club. I offer my huge Coach Moore will be seeking congratulations to those who have fluency in combinations, be it in been selected and I know they will the midfield, loose forwards and wear the jersey with pride.” halves, as well as set-piece solidity. NZ BARBARIANS He knows what Kendra Cocksedge, There is much to play for amongst Selica Winiata and Charmaine the Barbarians squad.