Black Ferns hold fire on SVNS stars in team for Canada showdown

The Black Ferns have backed experience in their team to play Canada, including the return of the iconic Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to the black jersey.

The highly decorated back is set to return after backflipping on international retirement just a month ago, with her love for the game reinvigorated during her time with the Blues in their recent Super Rugby Aupiki title run.

The superstar will start on the right wing for Allan Bunting’s side, replacing Blues teammate Katelyn Vahaakolo.

“I’m really excited for Portia to again represent her country in front of friends and wh?nau, it will be a special moment for her,” Bunting said.

“It’s been awesome seeing the joy in her eyes and everything she does to enhance our environment. Her willingness to learn and grow is contagious; we look forward to seeing her play this weekend against Canada.”

Elsewhere in the team, after a superb outing in Newcastle, Kaipo Olsen-Baker has been shifted to the bench, making way for Liana Mikaele-Tu’u.

The Black Ferns are blocking out the noise of last year’s historic defeat to Canada at the very same venue as this weekend’s contest, knowing there’s plenty of work to do ahead of a Rugby World Cup.

“We are focused on us, our Rugby Lead and Attack Coach Tony Christie, along with our coaching team, are doing a great job installing our game. It was good to see pieces of this come together last week versus Australia,” Bunting said.

“Last Saturday was a great stepping stone towards where we want to be, and we look forward to seeing how we build off that this week against a quality Canadian side. We are excited to play our first Test at home.”

Black Ferns team to play Canada

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Amy Rule
4. Alana Bremner
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Layla Sae
7. Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Maia Joseph
10. Ruahei Demant (Co-captain)
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Reserves

16. Atlanta Lolohea
17. Kate Henwood
18. Tanya Kalounivale
19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21. Iritana Hohaia
22. Hannah King
23. Mererangi Paul