Sevens stars trusted for Black Ferns in O’Reilly Cup fixture in Wellington

Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting and selectors have named their match-day 23 to play Australia this weekend in Wellington, before the All Blacks play France later on in the evening.

Matatu lock Laura Bayfield is named on the bench to make her Black Ferns debut, while experienced backs Ruby Tui and Kelly Brazier are also on the bench for impact.

Black Ferns Sevens stars Jorja Miller and Risi Pouri-Lane are named to start this weekend in Wellington, alongside a strong and experienced back three combination of Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Renee Holmes.

Bunting is feeling positive ahead of their last game before the Women’s Rugby World cup in England, saying how much the squad appreciates it.

“We’re really looking forward to playing in front of our wh?nau and friends on Saturday. I want to take the time to thank everyone for coming out to support our home games this year. Your continued support is incredibly valuable to us as we embark on our Rugby World Cup journey in England next month,” Bunting said on an NZR statement.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 and highlights available on NZR+.

O’Reilly Cup presented by Bupa Test match: Black Ferns v Australia

1 Chryss Viliko
2 Georgia Ponsonby
3 Tanya Kalounivale
4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos
5 Chelsea Bremner
6 Alana Bremner (cc)
7 Jorja Miller
8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9 Risaleaana Pouri-Lane
10 Ruahei Demant (cc)
11 Katelyn Vahaakolo
12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13 Stacey Waaka
14 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15 Renee Holmes

16 Vici-Rose Green
17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu
18 Amy Rule (30^th Test)
19 Laura Bayfield*
20 Layla Sae
21 Iritana Hohaia
22 Kelly Brazier
23 Ruby Tui (20^th Test)

*denotes debut

Unavailable due to injury: 

Kate Henwood (ankle), Ayesha Leti-I’iga (hamstring), Amy du Plessis (hamstring), Maia Joseph (hamstring), Braxton Sorensen-McGee (hip).