The Black Ferns team to play their third Test this season – this time against Canada in Tauranga tomorrow afternoon – has been named.
Coming off the back of a 90-12 win over Samoa at Eden Park last Saturday, the Black Ferns coaches have made eight changes to their starting XV for tomorrow afternoon’s International Women’s Rugby Series Test match against Canada.
The team is:
1 Kathleen Wilton
2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili
3 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox
4 Eloise Blackwell
5 Rawinia Everitt
6 Aroha Savage
7 Justine Lavea
8 Linda Itunu
9 Kendra Cocksedge
10 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali
11 Shakira Baker
12 Amiria Rule
13 Huriana Manuel
14 Halie Tiplady-Hurring
15 Selica Winiata
Reserves:
16 Ruth Mckay
17 Casey Roberston
18 Aleisha Nelson
19 Jackie Patea
20 Sanita Levave
21 Emma Jensen
22 Kelly Brazier
23 Chelsea Alley
Several Black Ferns will mark milestones tomorrow with veteran halfback and handy boot Emma Jensen set to run out for her 40th Test match in the Black Ferns jersey. Skipper Fiao’o Fa’amausili will notch up her 30th Test and Kendra Cocksedge her 20th appearance for the team.
Eloise Blackwell, Halie Tiplady-Hurring and Selica Winiata are all set to mark their 10th Test match milestones.
Black Ferns Coach Brian Evans said that while the Test against Samoa had been a great occasion they wanted to continue testing different combinations, and to encourage competition for positions as they look to finalise their Women’s Rugby World Cup squad.
“Eden Park was very special and for the girls playing against some very familiar faces in the Manusina Samoa team it was a truly special occasion, particularly to run out ahead of the All Blacks at home.
“Now as we head into two Tests against Canada we know we need to regroup again as we expect them to be a great challenge.
“Selections today have been about managing injuries and workloads while building some depth at the same time.”
The Black Ferns v Canada Test is being played at Tauranga Domain, kickoff at 2:30pm tomorrow, Tuesday 10 June.
There is no live broadcast of the Black Ferns Test match but follow live game updates on https://twitter.com/abslivescore.
A full replay of the Black Ferns v Canada International Women’s Rugby Series Test match will be broadcast on the SKY Sport 3 on Thursday 12 June at 5:30pm.
The Black Ferns play Canada on Saturday in Whakatane.
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