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WXV: New Zealand make a handful of changes in preparation for France

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA - OCTOBER 06: Ayesha Leti-l'iga of New Zealand makes a conversion try during the WXV1 match between New Zealand and England at Langley Events Center on October 06, 2024 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The Black Ferns coaching staff have made five changes to the starting team ahead of their last WXV 1 match against France.

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The game on 12 October will be the 12th meeting between the two sides, the Black Ferns in search of their first win against Les Bleues since the 2022 Rugby World Cup semi-final (25-24).

Recent contests between New Zealand and France have been close encounters, France getting the better of the Black Ferns in their most recent meeting which was at last year’s WXV 1 competition (17-18).

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

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    ‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

    France go into the match having lost their first WXV 1 match against Canada (24-46) but winning their second against the USA last weekend (22-14). New Zealand on the other hand have suffered two losses, narrowly losing to Ireland in the first round (27-29) at BC Place before a defeat to England in Langley (31-49).

    Three changes are made to the forward pack with two coming into the front row. Kate Henwood and Amy Rule are named to start ahead of Chryss Viliko and Tanya Kalounivale, while Georgia Ponsonby returns to start at hooker.

    The second row remains unchanged with Alana Bremner and Maiakawanakaulani Roos both earning starting places again. In the back row, Layla Sae takes the place of Kennedy Tukuafu at openside flanker, the latter moving to the bench. Sae will join Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who scored the first points in the match with England last weekend, and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u who retain their starting places.

    Iritana Hohaia earns her first WXV 1 starting place for this year ahead of Maia Joseph at scrum-half, while Hannah King continues in the number 10 jersey. Ruahei Demant and Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt will partner up again in the midfield, supported on the wings by Katelyn Vahaakolo and Ayesha Leti-l’iga.

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    The second and final change made to the backs comes at fullback with Mererangi Paul replacing Renee Holmes.

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    Allan Bunting said: “Our group are determined to finish well this weekend. We have been through some challenging times; we’ve seen progression in certain areas of our game, but we need to be more accurate and consistent across the park. Collectively we have shifted onto France, who we know can be a formidable and unpredictable side. Fortunately, we get another opportunity this week to show all the hard work we have been doing.”

    The Black Ferns currently have a 6-5 winning record against France, and will look to further their lead on 12 October at BC Place to finish WXV on a positive note.

    Tickets for the match are available to buy HERE. 

    Black Ferns team to play France is (Test caps in brackets);

    1. Kate Henwood (7)
    2. Georgia Ponsonby (26)
    3. Amy Rule (26)
    4. Alana Bremner (24)
    5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (28)
    6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (25)
    7. Layla Sae (10)
    8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (8)
    9. Iritana Hohaia (13)
    10. Hannah King (6)
    11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (13)
    12. Ruahei Demant (40) (Co-Captain)
    13. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt (20)
    14. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (23)
    15. Mererangi Paul (11)

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    Replacements

    16. Atlanta Lolohea (4)
    17. Chryss Viliko (9)
    18. Tanya Kalounivale (17)
    19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (4)
    20. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) (26) (Co-Captain)
    21. Maia Joseph (7)
    22. Patricia Maliepo (9)
    23. Renee Holmes (21)

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    Comments

    2 Comments
    S
    SadersMan 175 days ago

    Bunting is delusional. The job is clearly too big for him. The Black Ferns have shown none to negative, "growth", as a team. Individuals may have progressed, true, but the team is a mess. They have been fully professional since 2022 but play like amateurs. We are back to 2021 NH tour vibes (onfield that is).


    The granting of an historical 4 year full contract to Kennedy Tukuafu remains Bunting's most puzzling decision. At 26, she had offered little of the on-field quality deserving of such status. Her relegation v FRA this week was imminent imo & Bunting gets kudos for this decision. I would've tossed her from the 23, myself. In all tests this tour, she has been ineffective & doesn’t seem to have a point of difference (required of a loosie). Jackaling, high tackle rate, clean, carry, . . . anything???


    Another puzzling selection is Bunting continuing to use our best 6 Alana Bremner 178cm & 77kg at lock in place of our best lock, Chelsea Bremner, 181cm & 88kg. Maia Roos at 179cm & 80kg needs a big body at her side. Neither she nor Alana are power locks.


    Going forward I'd reshuffle the back 5 as follows:


    4 Roos 5 Chelsea 6 Alana 7 Sae 8 Mikaele-Tuu with Olsen Baker bench impact. Alana is an option to cover lock, if required. I'd also be tempted to use a 6/2 split depending on the opposition.


    Another issue I have with this week's selection is that the same core backline that leaked a million tries from set play v ENG is taking the field. Sure, FRA got thrashed by CAN, but it's still FRA, quite capable of stepping up & blasting us. What will be different for us this time? Clearer backfield comms? Sharper midfield reads??? I hope so.

    J
    JPM 175 days ago

    Same coaching problem with France that is regressing rather than improving…and this is quite sad for a French fan.

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    Comments on RugbyPass

    I
    IkeaBoy 5 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    “Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”

    Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.


    “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

    Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”

    So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…


    “I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”

    I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…

    Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?


    “I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”

    So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?


    “lol u really need to chill out”

    Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?

    171 Go to comments
    f
    fl 5 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    “Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca”

    Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.


    “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

    Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made. With Barcelona, Pep made the semi final four consecutive times - with City he’s managed only 3 in 8 years. This year they didn’t even make the round of 16.


    To re-cap, you wrote that Pep “has gotten better with age. By every measure.” There are some measures that support what you’re saying, but the vast majority of the measures that you have highlighted actually show the opposite.


    I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.


    I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright. You’ve also not addressed Eddie Jones.


    I agree wrt Schmidt. He would ideally be retained, but it wouldn’t work to have a remote head coach. He should definitely be hired as a consultant/analyst/selector though.


    “Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.”

    lol u really need to chill out lad. Kiss and Schmidt would both be great members of the coaching set up in 2025, but it would be ridiculous to bank on either to retain the head coach role until 2031.

    171 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 6 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca. The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.


    His time with City - a lower win ratio compared to Bayern Munich as you say - includes a 100 PT season. A feat that will likely never be surpassed. I appreciate you don’t follow soccer too closely but even casual fans refer to the sport in ‘pre and post Pep’ terms and all because of what he has achieved and is continuing to achieve, late career. There is a reason that even U10’s play out from the back now at every level of the game. That’s also a fairly recent development.


    How refreshing to return to rugby on a rugby forum.


    Ireland won a long over due slam in 2009. The last embers of a golden generation was kicked on by a handful of young new players and a new senior coach. Kiss was brought in as defence coach and was the reason they won it. They’d the best defence in the game at the time. He all but invented the choke tackle. Fittingly they backed it up in the next world cup in their 2011 pool match against… Australia. The instantly iconic image of Will Genia getting rag-dolled by Stephen Ferris.


    His career since has even included director of rugby positions. He would have an extremely good idea of where the game is at and where it is going in addition to governance experience and dealings. Not least in Oz were many of the players will have come via or across Rugby League pathways.


    Gatland isn’t a valid coach to compare too. He only ever over-achieved and was barely schools level without Shaun Edwards at club or test level. His return to Wales simply exposed his limitations and a chaotic union. It wasn’t age.


    Schmidt is open to staying involved in a remote capacity which I think deserves more attention. It would be a brain drain to lose him. He stepped in to coach the ABs in the first 2022 test against Ireland when Foster was laid out with Covid. They mullered Ireland 42-19. He was still heavily involved in the RWC 2023 quarter final. Same story.


    Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.

    171 Go to comments
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