TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY BULLS WOMEN’S LINE-UP NAMED FOR PREMIERSHIP OPENER AGAINST WELLINGTON

The Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s team kick off their Sky Sport NZRL National Premiership campaign at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday against Wellington Orcas.

Coached for the first time by Joseph Purcell-Mika, the Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s line-up is led by 2023 captain Shade McGregor-Pakau, who features in a backline boasting fellow experienced performers Dayna Napa and, at fullback, Sailiai Pau.

Bayli Rapira will steer the side from halfback with vice-captain Tori Harding at five-eighth, while CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final player of the match Kyla Lynch-Brown provides playmaking class from the bench.

Katey Arona features at hooker in a well-balanced forward pack, which will look to the likes of Harmony Simaile, Anika Gates-Thorne and interchange front-rower Karita Agafili to lay the platform through the middle of the field.

The Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls Women’s team are aiming to reverse a tight result when these teams met in Porirua in 2023, with Wellington Orcas resisting a second-half rally from the visitors to win 22-16.

Tomorrow’s match gets underway at 2pm at Ngā Puna Wai, while Sky Sports will broadcast the match live on Channel 54.