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Black Ferns bring back big guns for quarter-final clash
By Sam Smith
Black Ferns coaches have named a powerful match day 23 for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Wales, with the return of co-captain Kennedy Simon from injury.
Simon will make her World Cup debut off the bench, while Stacey Fluhler, Ruby Tui and Portia Woodman all return to the starting backline.
The teams go head to head at the Northland Events Centre, Whang?rei on Saturday night at 7.30pm.
Going into the quarter-final there is only one change to the starting forward pack with Chelsea Bremner joining up with Maiakawanakaulani Roos in the second row.
Co-Captain Ruahei Demant returns to the starting line-up at first five-eighths, connecting with Kendra Cocksedge at halfback, while Theresa Fitzpatrick and Stacey Fluhler combine in the midfield for the first time this season.
A powerful back three of Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Portia Woodman and Ruby Tui round out the exciting starting line-up.
The Black Ferns met Wales in week two of the Rugby World Cup, securing a 56-12 victory at Waitakere Stadium.
Assistant Coach Wesley Clarke said the team is thankful to face another northern hemisphere opponent in the quarter-finals.
“We are going to get some mauls and some good scrums; where they really challenged us last time, so that is a good thing.
“There was a lot of stuff in our last game that wasn’t up to our standards so that is what we have been focusing on this week,” said Clarke.
Black Ferns v Wales previous results (all played at World Cups)
1991: Black Ferns 24 – Wales 6
2010: Black Ferns 41 – Wales 8
2014: Black Ferns 63 – Wales 7
2017: Black Ferns 44 – Wales 12
2022: Black Ferns 56 – Wales 12
Black Ferns team to face Wales:
1. Phillipa Love (22)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (10)
3. Amy Rule (9)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (11)
5. Chelsea Bremner (9)
6. Alana Bremner (10)
7. Sarah Hirini (14)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (9)
9. Kendra Cocksedge (65)
10. Ruahei Demant (24)
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (18)
12. Theresa Fitzpatrick (15)
13. Stacey Fluhler (22)
14. Portia Woodman (22)
15. Ruby Tui (7)
Reserves
16. Luka Connor (11)
17. Krystal Murray (6)
18. Santo Taumata (4)
19. Joanah Ngan-Woo (14)
20. Kennedy Simon (10)
21. Ariana Bayler (6)
22. Hazel Tubic (20)
23. Renee Holmes (7)
-Press Release/NZR
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Latest Comments
I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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