Rugby, Black Ferns v Wallaroos: Amarante Sititi shocked with lock spot but embracing opportunity
Nineteen-year-old rugby player Amarante Sititi has been selected for the Black Ferns squad for their end-of-year tour. Despite being a loose forward, she is embracing the opportunity to play as a lock for her potential test debut against the Wallaroos.
Why it matters
Sititi's rapid rise in professional rugby highlights the development of young talent in the sport and the importance of versatility in elite team selection.
With its long-lasting flowers, the Amarante plant takes its name from the Greek word amarantos. Translated into English, it means undying or everlasting.
It’s a plant that grows in Osaka, Japan, and became the inspiration for Semo and Rosalind Sititi when it came to naming the daughter they welcomed into their family while the former Manu Samoa captain was playing rugby in the city.
As it turns out, it is also a fitting way to describe Amarante Sititi’s approach when she steps on to the rugby field.
The 19-year-old has had a big year in 2026, making her Super Rugby Aupiki debut for the championship-winning Blues team, making her mark with her athleticism and work rate, following on from a standout Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) campaign for Auckland in 2025.
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