Mia Anderson set for her Black Ferns debut on home patch
Mia Anderson has been named at blindside for the Black Ferns as they face a Black Ferns XV in a trial match.
Photo: Photosport
In the region where she would emulate her rugby heroes as a child, Mia Anderson returns home to Northland on Saturday to realise her Black Ferns dream.
Born in Kerikeri, Anderson knew as young as four years old what she wanted to be.
Her journey to that goal was put on pause for the birth of her child, but has resumed with a rapid ascension to the national side.
“I’ve played rugby since I was a little kid. Obviously, this has always been the dream. Then I had my son and I kind of put it on hold and then once I returned to rugby after my baby, this has definitely been the dream. So, it’s pretty special to be here.”
Returning from maternity leave in 2024 with Chiefs Manawa, Anderson has been named at blindside for the Black Ferns as they get set to take on the Black Ferns XV in a trial match.
Though not officially a test debut, the moment is just as special.
“I’m so grateful to be in here with all these amazing women. Yeah, honestly, there’s just no words. I’m just really grateful to be in such a cool environment with such amazing coaches and amazing players.”
New Black Fern Mia Anderson.
Photo: Photosport
While she was elated with the news, the call didn’t exactly come out of the blue.
“I was at home, I had been waiting by the phone all day, hoping.”
The debut also doubles as a homecoming for Anderson, who was selected to play FPC as a 17-year-old.
“I played for Northland first while I was at school and just a really proud Northland girl, so I’m so lucky to be going back there.”
She is expecting to see plenty of familiar faces in the crowd cheering for her.
“There’s so many. I’ve been begging everyone for tickets, there’ll be a big group of family there, a loud fan club.”
The 23-year-old said she was still in awe of some of her new team-mates.
“I’ve been around them for a couple years now, which still seems surreal that they’re just your team-mate. I used to watch highlight videos of some of them when I was a kid, which is a little while ago. It’s unreal.”
With the World Cup on the horizon, Anderson is determined to stake a claim in the Black Ferns stacked loose forward stocks.
“I’m really excited to show what I can do. I really want to be there. Obviously, I think everyone does, so yeah, I just keep putting my best foot forward and fingers crossed.”
Black Ferns vs Black Ferns XV trial
Kick off 1.05pm at Semenoff Stadium in Whangฤrei.
Saturday 5 July
Black Ferns squad
1. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu
2. Atlanta Lolohea
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu
4. Alana Bremner (Co-captain)
5. Ma’ama Mo’onia Vaipulu
6. Mia Anderson
7. Layla Sae
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Maia Joseph
10. Kelly Brazier
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13. Stacey Waaka
14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Bench:
16. Kate Henwood
17. Vici-Rose Green
18. Tanya Kalounivale
19. Chelsea Bremner
20. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
21. Jorja Miller
22. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
23. Ruahei Demant (Co-Captain)
24. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
25. Theresa Setefano
26. Amy du Plessis
27. Renee Holmes
28. Chryss Viliko
29. Georgia Ponsonby
30. Amy Rule
Black Ferns director of performance: Allan Bunting
Black Ferns XV
1. Krystal Murray
2. Luka Connor
3. Ashley Palu
4. Laura Bayfield
5. Sam Taylor
6. Holly Greenway (Captain)
7. Elinor-Plum King
8. Taufa Bason
9. Iritana Hohaia
10. Hannah King
11. Jaymie Kolose
12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata
13. Kelsey Teneti
14. Ruby Tui
15. Kaea Nepia
Bench:
16. Grace Leaso Gago
17. Jordy Tihore
18. Marcelle Parkes
19. Maddi Robinson
20. Harono Te Iringa
21. Cheyenne Tuli-Fale
22. Lucy Jenkins
23. Fiaali’i Solomona
24. Reese Anderson
25. Keira Su’a-Smith
26. Justine McGregor
27. Winnie Palamo
28. Tara Turner
Black Ferns XV head coach Willie Walker
Mia Anderson scoring for Waikato in the FPC.
Photo: DJ Mills / www.photosport.nz