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Black Ferns name two debutants for Pacific Four Series clash against Canada
Two players are in line for a Black Ferns debut this weekend as New Zealand host Canada in the second week of the Pacific Four Series at Trusts Arena in Waitakere on Sunday.
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Involved in the Black Ferns domestic series against the Barbarians in 2020, centre Amy du Plessis has been named to play her first international test.
18-year-old Auckland midfielder Sylvia Brunt, meanwhile, is poised to debut from the bench following a quick rise to the top through some powerful performances in the Farah Palmer Cup.
Changes in the backline see Hazel Tubic earn her first start a first-five, with captain Ruahei Demant moving out to second-five.
Demant replaces Chelsea Semple who was not available for selection due to illness, while Du Plessis replaces Kelsey Teneti who has returned to the Black Ferns Sevens programme.
After powerful performances off the bench last weekend, Luka Connor, Tanya Kalounivale, Joanah Ngan-Woo and Tafito Lafaele are all promoted to the starting pack.
Black Ferns director of rugby Wayne Smith said the changes this week are in line with ensuring all players in the 32-strong squad have the opportunity to impress.
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“We’ve selected players that we think are up to the level required at international rugby so we are making sure they get the opportunity on the field to prove that,” Smith said.
“This series is all about players showing what they can do and putting their best foot forward for when it comes time for Rugby World Cup selection.”
Trailing 5-10 at half time against Australia, the Black Ferns bounced back with a strong second half performance, Smith said they expect another tough encounter against Canada.
“Canada looked physical against the USA, they were explosive and we know they’ve had players added to their team this week from the English Premiership.
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“It will certainly be another tough match, but that is where you learn and that’s exactly what we want.”
Kick-off for Sunday’s match in Auckland is scheduled for 2:45pm.
Black Ferns team to play Canada
1. Phillipa Love
2. Luka Connor
3. Tanya Kalounivale
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
5. Joanah Ngan-Woo
6. Alana Bremner
7. Tafito Lafaele
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
9. Kendra Cocksedge
10. Hazel Tubic
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12. Ruahei Demant – captain
13. Amy du Plessis*
14. Ruby Tui
15. Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Reserves:
16. Georgia Ponsonby
17. Angel Mulu
18. Amy Rule
19. Chelsea Bremner
20. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u/Kendra Reynolds
21. Ariana Bayler/Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
22. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt*
23. Renee Wickliffe
– additional reporting with New Zealand Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
37 Go to comments