Black Ferns make seven changes after opening round defeat

The Black Ferns have made seven changes to the squad for the second match of WXV 1 against Wales in Dunedin.

Loosehead prop Kate Henwood, lock Chelsea Bremner, back row Layla Sae and winger Mererangi Paul earn their first start of the tournament. Experienced forwards Krystal Murray and Alana Bremner drop to the bench.

New Zealand played Wales twice at last year’s World Cup recording convincing wins as Wales look to bounce back from an opening weekend defeat to Canada.

This will be the first time since 1997 that the Black Ferns have played in Dunedin.

Balck Ferns:
1. Kate Henwood
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Amy Rule
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
5. Chelsea Bremner
6. Layla Sae
7. Kennedy Simon (Co-Captain)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
10. Ruahei Demant (Co-Captain)
11. Mererangi Paul
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Ruby Tui
15. Renee Holmes

Replacements
16. Luka Connor
17. Krystal Murray
18. Tanya Kalounivale
19. Alana Bremner
20. Lucy Jenkins
21. Iritana Hohaia
22. Patricia Maliepo
23. Martha Mataele