women
wxv
Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen made five changes to her starting XV and four more to her bench after posting 81 points France to open their home in the WXV Global Series.
The first change is in the tight five where Laura Bayfield and Maiakawanakaulani Roos switch roles, placing the former in the starting second row and the latter on the bench.
There is also one change in the loose forwards, with Layla Sae set to make her first start on Kiwi soil after overcoming a serious knee injury, replacing newcomer Elinor-Plum King, who dropped out of the 23rd game. Another rookie, Amarante Sititi, benefited from the change after missing out on an optional role last week.
Tara Turner and Ruahei Demant moved into the starting unit this week, with Maia Joseph and Hannah King dropping to the bench. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, fresh from four tries in Hamilton, will move to left wing in Whangarei to accommodate Mererangi Paul on the right wing. Ayesha Leti-I’iga is absent from the squad list this week, with Justine McGregor occupying the back bench.
“For us it’s about getting better again individually and as a team. France are a quality side that we will never take lightly and we expect them to come out firing,” said Hansen.
“Our biggest pressure comes from within. It’s about how we prepare, how we train and how we perform on the field, rather than chasing the outcome. We will always remain humble and hungry in that pursuit, pushing ourselves and each other to be better every time we step on the field.”
The Black Ferns team is playing against France
- Chryss Viliko (27)
- Georgia Ponsonby (46)
- Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (12)
- Laura Bayfield (13)
- Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (16)
- Liana Mikaele-Tutu (44)
- Layla Sae (23)
- Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22)
- Tara Turner (8)
- Ruahei Demant (57) – captain
- Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (4) Free Mp3 Download
- Logo-In-Door Lamp-Sylvia Brunt (38)
- Amy Du Plessis (31)
- Fighting Paul (22)
- Braxton Sorensen-McGee (15)
Reserves
16. Atlanta Lolohea (14)
17. Maddison Robinson (8)
Level 18 Santo (12)
19. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (47)
Street 20. Amarante (3)
21. Maia Joseph (25)
22. Hannah King (19)
23. Justine McGregor (7)
Unavailable due to injury: Mia Anderson (concussion)
