Layla Sae completes sensational comeback as more injury trouble hits Black Ferns

Layla Sae will make her return to the Black Ferns just nine months after she sustained an ACL injury on club duty with Harlequins.

The 25-year-old loose forward will win her 20th cap from among the replacements on Saturday, when New Zealand take on France in their WXV Global Series opener in Lyon. There is also a return for Alena Saili, who will make her first Test appearance after a six year absence.

Hansen said: “Layla is a powerful athlete that thrives in collisions, she’s explosive and a threat not only in the middle but on the edge. She’s shown great determination and resilience to get back into the team and we’re looking forward to seeing what she does this weekend.

“Alena is a talented athlete; she’s been in the system for a long time which shows in the way she carries herself professionally and her positive impact on the team’s culture. She’s a physical presence in the midfield and is a versatile player covering midfield and the outsides for us.”

There has also been more injury misery lumped on the six-time world champions. Already Kaipo Olsen-Baker had been ruled out of WXV Global Series fixtures with a shoulder injury, and just hours before their first Test squad was announced, a calf injury for co-captain Ruahei Demant means that the former World Rugby Women’s 15s player of the Year will miss matches against France, Scotland and England.

Now, explosive wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga has been ruled out with a calf injury. It has not been revealed how long the 27-year-old will be out of action for.

As a result of these injuries, Georgia Ponsonby has taken sole ownership of the captaincy and starts in the front-row alongside Chryss Viliko and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu. Laura Bayfield it promoted to starting lock, where she will partner Maiakawanakaulani Roos. The starting back-row from FNB Stadium is unchanged.

Maia Joseph and Hannah King continue their partnership at half-back from a week ago and the midfield axis of Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis remains the same. Justine McGregor joins Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Mererangi Paul in the back three.

“France has traditionally played with a lot of flair and unpredictability, we’re also seeing another element to their game under their new coaching group,” Hansen said. “This weekend is going to take us being switched on and staying on.”

WXV Global Series | Black Ferns match day 23 v France

15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (11)
14. Mererangi Paul (19)
13. Amy Du Plessis (27)
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (34)
11. Justine McGregor (4)
10. Hannah King (15)
9. Maia Joseph (21)
1. Chryss Viliko (24)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (42) – captain
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (8)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (43)
5. Laura Bayfield (10)
6. Mia Anderson (5)
7. Elinor-Plum King (2)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (40)

Replacements

16. Atlanta Lolohea (12)
17. Maddison Robinson (5)
18. Santo Taumata (9)
19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (12)
20. Layla Sae (19)
21. Tara Turner (4)
22. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (1)
23. Alena Saili (5)