Five Auckland players are set to take the world stage after being selected to play in the Cook Islands – Moana 9s’ – Women’s 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championships squad later this month.

Mazelina Haurua (Pt Chevalier), Kimiora Nati (Manurewa), Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate (Te Atatu), Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Te Atatu) and NZRL’s recently named Women’s Player of the Year Apii Nicholls-Pualau (Manurewa) will play in this year’s Rugby League 9’s tournament held at Dolphin Stadium on Friday February 23 - 24, in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Kimiora Nati and Apii Nicholls-Pualau both played a starring role in their season for the Manurewa Marlins Wahine last year winning the Farrelly Photos Auckland Women's Premiership Championship, while Pt Chevalier’s Mazelina Haurua went up against Te Atatu duo Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate and Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate in last year’s Women’s Pennant Grand Final.

The Championships will showcase 10 Commonwealth nations including Australia, England, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

Cook Islands – Moana 9s’ – Women’s 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championships Squad:

1. APII NICHOLLS-PUALAU (Auckland, New Zealand) – Manurewa
2. MAZELINA HAURUA (Auckland, New Zealand) – Pt Chevalier
3. CECELIA STRICKLAND (NSW, Australia)
4. INANGARO MARAEARA (NSW, Australia)
5. JEAN-SHANNEL ROBATI (Victoria, Australia)
6. KIRITAPU DEMANT (Auckland, New Zealand)
7. KIMIORA NATI (Auckland, New Zealand) Manurewa
8. TOKA NATUA (Tokoroa, New Zealand)
9. KATELYN ARONA (Christchurch, New Zealand)
10. KAROL-ANN TANEVESI (NSW, Australia)
11. TE AMOHAERE NGATA-AERENGAMATE (Auckland, New Zealand) – Te Atatu
12. KERSAL JOHNSON (NSW, Australia)
13. TE KURA NGATA-AERENGAMATE (Auckland, New Zealand) – Te Atatu
14. JAYNE KAREROA (Victoria, Australia)
15. TENIELLE PEYROUX (NSW, Australia)

2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championships snapshot:

• Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February
• 9-a-side tournament featuring ten Commonwealth nations including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Wales, Canada, Samoa, England, Scotland, Tonga and Cook Islands.
• Men’s Under 23’s teams
• Open women’s teams
• Physical disability teams (Australia, New Zealand and World All-Stars)