Black Ferns make nine changes after 81-point performance

Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has made five changes to her starting XV and four more on her bench after putting 81 points on France to open their home stretch in the WXV Global Series.

The first change is in the tight five where Laura Bayfield and Maiakawanakaulani Roos switch roles, putting 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 for her first start on Kiwi soil since overcoming a serious knee injury, and replacing rookie Elinor-Plum King, who has dropped out of the matchday 23. Another rookie, Amarante Sititi, has benefited from the change, earning an impact role after missing selection last week.

Tara Turner and Ruahei Demant have both moved into the starting unit this week, with Maia Joseph and Hannah King dropping to the bench. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, fresh off a four-try effort in Hamilton, will move to the left wing in Whangarei to accommodate Mererangi Paul on the right wing. Ayesha Leti-I’iga is absent from the team sheet this week, with Justine McGregor occupying the final bench spot.

“For us, it’s about being better again both individually and as a team. France are a quality side that we will never take lightly, and we’re expecting them to come out firing,” Hansen said.

“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 outcomes. We’ll always remain humble and hungry in that pursuit, pushing ourselves and each other to be better every time we take the field.”

Black Ferns team to play France

1. Chryss Viliko (27)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (46)
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (12)
4. Laura Bayfield (13)
5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (16)
6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (44)
7. Layla Sae (23)
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22)
9. Tara Turner (8)
10. Ruahei Demant (57) – captain
11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (4)
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (38)
13. Amy Du Plessis (31)
14. Mererangi Paul (22)
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (15)

Reserves

16. Atlanta Lolohea (14)
17. Maddison Robinson (8)
18. Santo Taumata (12)
19. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (47)
20. Amarante Sititi (3)
21. Maia Joseph (25)
22. Hannah King (19)
23. Justine McGregor (7)

Unavailable due to injury: Mia Anderson (concussion)