Black Ferns name July series squad for Australia Test

Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting has named a 33-strong squad ahead of a Test match against Australia in Wellington, as well as a trial match against the Black Ferns XV at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei.

Bunting has made four changes from the PAC4 competition squad, including possible debuts to Laura Bayfield and Mia Anderson.

Experienced Black Ferns backs Renee Holmes and Kelly Brazier have re-joined the squad, and Alana Bremner will be stepping in as co-captain alongside Ruahei Demant for the matches.

Bunting explains that experience and depth was key to bringing back some of the players.

“At this stage of our World Cup journey, internal competition has been intense and selections are getting tougher as our wider squad have put in the work. Renee has come back and shown real growth, Kelly gives us experience and depth at 10 adding to our kicking game, while Mia and Laura have consistently been impressive,” Bunting told New Zealand Rugby’s website.

The Black Ferns squad for the July Series is (Age, Super Rugby Club, Provincial Union, Tests):

Loosehead props
Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 12 Tests)
Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 Tests)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 6 Tests)

Hookers
Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatu, Canterbury, 30 Tests)
Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests)
Vici-Rose Green (23, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test)

Tighthead Props
Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 20 Tests)
Amy Rule (24, Matatu, Canterbury, 30 Tests)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test)

Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 32 Test caps)
Alana Bremner (28, Matatu, Canterbury, 28 Tests)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (22, Blues, Auckland, 7 Test caps)
Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatu, Canterbury, 21 Tests)
Laura Bayfield (26, Matatu, Canterbury, uncapped)

Loose Forwards
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues, Auckland, 28 Tests)
Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatu, 13 Tests)
Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, 1 Test)
Mia Anderson (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, uncapped)

Halfbacks
Maia Joseph (23, Matatu, Otago, 11 Tests)
Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 16 Tests)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (24, Black Ferns Sevens, 1 Test)

First fives
Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 44 Tests)
Hannah King (21, Matatu, Canterbury, 10 Tests)
Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens, 42 Tests)

Midfield
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 24 Tests)
Amy du Plessis (25, Matatu, Canterbury, 21 Tests)
Stacey Waaka (29, Black Ferns Sevens, 26 Tests)
Theresa Setefano (30, Black Ferns Sevens, 19 Tests)

Outside backs
Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 15 Tests)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 Tests)
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (33, Blues, 26 Tests)
Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 Tests)

Unavailable due to injury:
Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu, Mererangi Paul, Ariana Bayler, Alena Saili, Santo Taumata

Black Ferns timeline (all times in NZT):

• Saturday, July 5, 1.05pm – Black Ferns v Black Ferns XV trial-match, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei. Sky Sport 1
• Saturday, July 12, 4.30pm kick-off – Black Ferns v Australia, Sky Stadium, Wellington. Sky Sport 1 and Te Reo Maori commentary on Sky Sport 2.
• Friday, July 25 – RWC squad announcement event (more details to come)
• Wednesday, August 13 – Travel day to England for the RWC

Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 with match highlights available on NZR+