YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE JOIN nib BLUES RANKS
As the nib Blues women’s squad takes shape for the 2024 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki competition, we wanted to give you a sneak peek this week at a couple of new signings.
Check out the player profiles for returning nib Blues prop – Aldora Itunu and exciting young halfback Kahlia Awa.
The full 30-player nib Blues squad will be released on Monday, November 20.
Aldora Itunu
Prop Aldora Itunu returns to the nib Blues after taking a season off to become a Mum.
It’s a bit of a family affair for Aldora as she joins her sister, Linda, who is part of the coaching staff.
Itunu is an experienced player having notched up 50 caps for the Auckland Storm as well as 24 appearances for the Black Ferns, including a Women’s Rugby World Cup victory in 2017.
She is a specialist in the dark arts of scrummaging and much like her sister is one of the hardest hitters in the women’s game.
A warning to Aldora’s opponents in Super Rugby Aupiki – she will hit you before you see her coming… You have been warned!
Kahlia Awa
Kahlia Awa is a promising halfback and joins the nib Blues for her first season in Super Rugby Aupiki.
She hails from the Hawkes Bay and was a standout performer for the Hawkes Bay Tui in their Farah Palmer Cup campaign – culminating in their first semi-final appearance.
At a young age, Awa’s leadership ability was on display with her primary school and Ross Shield Coach, Anthony Easson, telling Te Ao News:
“For me Kahlia's kind of a bit like Richie McCaw to be honest she's a real leader on the field, mainly due to her actions she never gives up she's a real hard rugby player she loves getting in there and taking on the boys but it's also the off-field stuff as well.”
Awa has been recognised as a player with huge potential and was selected in the inaugural Black Ferns XV team in 2023.
She will be looking forward to linking up with fellow Hawkes Bay local, Krysten Cottrell, in the nib Blues and no doubt their 9-10 combination and understanding will be an asset to the team in 2024.