After injuring her jaw in two places last September, Kiwi Ferns winger Atawhai Tupaea is hoping to be named in the team for the NRL Auckland Nines tournament in the New Year.
Tupaea is welcoming the challenge to trial against 60 other contenders for a Kiwi Fern spot.
“As well as the others, you're kind of battling against them and you're trying to beat that person to make the team again,” said Tupaea.
The 61 contenders including Tupaea will have to go through three trial games to see whether they will make the cut tonight.
Kahurangi Peters says, “It's an awesome feeling seeing new faces, especially today when we have kids who have come straight out of school to trial, so it's good to see.”
The defending champs of the Nines will announce a team of 23 to 24 players on Wednesday to take on the Jillaroos at next year's tournament.