• The Farah Palmer Cup semi-final between Auckland and Wellington kicks-off at 12.05pm on Saturday afternoon
• Entry is FREE for all those who attend the match at Eden Park

In what is the first standalone women’s rugby match at Eden Park, Auckland’s Storm take on the Wellington Pride on Saturday afternoon (KO 12.05pm) at the famous ground. The Storm head into the match as the favourites after finishing second during the regular season. Wellington were right on their heels after finishing in third however, so the favourites tag is arguably a marginal one.

Head Coach Richie Walker has been fortunate enough to be able to name an unchanged starting-XV from the one that took on the Counties Manukau Heat.

The forward pack features no less than five current or former Black Ferns and is led by Linda Itunu at flanker. The front row of Chryss Viliko, Cristo Tofa and Aleisha-Pearl Nelson will be well aware that they’ll need to front come Saturday to lay a solid foundation for the exciting backline outside of them. Locks Eloise Blackwell and Charmaine Smith will look to provide the link from the tight to the loose with Leanne Thompson and Charmaine McMenamin the remaining backrowers taking the field.

The backs of course feature the Demant sisters, Kiritapu and Ruahei, both of whom have been in outstanding form throughout 2019. Young gun Patricia Maliepo will run the cutter at first-five with midfielder Joeannha Naime-Purcell outside here. The back-three of Isla Norman-Bell, Princess Elliot and Natahlia Moors have been dangerous all year and round out the backline.

Walker is first and foremost excited about Saturday and the opportunity that awaits his side.

“It’s very exciting to be playing a home semi-final, especially at Eden Park. We trained last week, but gave the girls the weekend off just to switch-off mentally and come back in fresh this week ready to go come Saturday.”

Looking at what Wellington might bring to the table, Walker is under no illusions as to the potential challenges that’ll be presented.

“They have a few key players back that we didn’t face previously as well as some big-runners in the backline with exciting wingers. Their forward pack will certainly be able to match us also physically. We’re lucky enough have been able to build some continuity over the last few rounds, so now we’re just ready to go, and excited to put it all out there.”

Storm team to play the Wellington Pride:

1. Chryss Viliko (Marist, 6 caps)
2. Cristo Tofa (Ponsonby, 6)
3. Aleisha Pearl-Nelson (College Rifles, 66)
4. Eloise Blackwell (Eden, 55)
5. Charmaine Smith (College Rifles, 10)
6. Linda Itunu - Captain (Ponsonby, 58)
7. Leanne Thompson (College Rifles, 22)
8. Charmaine McMenamin (Ponsonby, 51)
9. Kiritapu Demant (College Rifles, 34)
10. Patricia Maliepo (Marist, 6)
11. Isla Norman-Bell (Ponsonby, 6)
12. Joeannha Naime-Purcell (Ponsonby, 5)
13. Ruahei Demant (College Rifles, 34)
14. Princess Elliot (Ponsonby, 6)
15. Natahlia Moors (Ponsonby, 18)
16. Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby, 38)
17. Saphire Abraham (College Rifles, 6)
18. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (College Rifles, 6)
19. Joanna Fanene (Marist, 15)
20. Moana Cook (Ponsonby, 6)
21. Abigail Roache (Ponsonby, 3)
22. Grace Freeman (College Rifles, 1)