Midfielder Maggie Jenkins has seven goals in three games, including a four-goal haul against Tonga on Match Day 5, which has seen her jump to equal-second in the race for the Golden Boot.
For coach Gareth Turnbull it has been a pleasant surprise, after initially intending for Jenkins to play a smaller role in the squad.
“To be honest she wasn’t in our starting team initially, but she has thrown a spanner into the works with her performances and she was outstanding against Tonga,” Turnbull says.
“We included her in the group to see what it was like because we believe she will represent her country for many years to come.
“Maggie is really one for the future with us, she is young enough to still be around for the next U-17 cycle and has plenty of potential.”
The second-youngest member of the New Zealand squad – older only than goalkeeper Anna Leat – Jenkins is relishing being in the U-17 environment in Rarotonga.
“It’s amazing, it’s such a good experience and everyone around us is so good it just makes me want to lift up and be like them,’ Jenkins says.
“I didn’t really even think I would make the final squad, I was training hard and trying to do my best, but I was really shocked when I got in.
“I have exceeded my own expectations a little bit I guess. But I am in an amazing team.
“I am getting all this experience and next time I am going to know what it is all about and will have an even better time.”
Ahead of today’s semi-final clash with Fiji at the CIFA Academy Jenkins isn’t sure whether or not she will play, but says getting 90 minutes against Tonga on Match Day 5 is something she will never forget.
“I was stoked when I scored my first goal for New Zealand, but when I scored four I felt amazing,” Jenkins says.
“I didn’t expect to play that game at all actually, so I was really shocked to start.”

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