Black Ferns team to play Australia for the O'Reilly Cup
The Black Ferns have named their team to play Australia for the O'Reilly Cup this weekend as they look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Canada.
World Cup hero Renee Holmes returns to the starting side to play at fullback, while star lock Alana Brember also returns to the starting XV.
To accomodate the return of Holmes, Mererangi Paul moves to the right wing in place of Ruby Tui while Katelyn Vahaakolo remains on the left wing after two tries last week.
A change up in the halves sees co-captain Ruahei Demant and halfback Maia Joseph move to the bench to finish the game, with starting roles handed to Hurricanes Poua pair Iritana Hohaia and Hannah King.
A back row re-shuffle sees Kaipo Olsen-Baker start at No 8 after an impressive cameo off the bench, while Liana Mikaele-Tu'u moves to blindside and co-captain Kennedy Simon lines up at openside.
Prop Amy Rule wins her first start of the season, along side Georgia Ponsonby and Chryss Viliko in the front row.
"We have taken some critical learnings from our game against Canada. This is now our opportunity to move on and take this next challenge against Australia," coach Allan Bunting said.
"There is a great rivalry between our two nations, we know Australia are coming off some pain as well and know how well they played at the end of last year.
"We are looking to see change in our mental preparation this week.
"Alongside this, we have a refreshed starting fifteen, which is growing the depth in our squad, and offers them an opportunity to show their capabilities in what will be another intense battle."
Black Ferns team to play Australia is (Test caps in brackets);
1. Chryss Viliko (4)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (22)
3. Amy Rule (21)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23)
5. Alana Bremner (19)
6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (20)
7. Kennedy Simon (co-captain) (22)
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (4)
9. Iritana Hohaia (8)
10. Hannah King (1)
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (8)
12. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (15)
13. Amy du Plessis (16)
14. Mererangi Paul (7)
15. Renee Holmes (16)
16. Luka Connor (22)
17. Marcelle Parkes (5)
18. Aldora Itunu (25)
19. Charmaine Smith (31)
20. Layla Sae (5)
21. Maia Joseph (2)
22. Ruahei Demant (co-captain) (35)
23. Grace Steinmetz (2)
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Both South Africans. Will Scotland not invest in Scottish youth rugby to produce Scottish players or are they hooked on off the shelf Saffers?
Go to commentsHonestly, congrats to that England squad. I only watched the first fifteen minutes before I went to sleep, but from what I could see Japan were impressive with the 90s coaches wet dream of chucking the ball around until something sticks (which did work, and I was impressed), but were just dominated up front physically by a much larger English team. However, that will not be happening against the All Blacks. If anything, I expect the All Blacks to be soul-crushingly tough and Springbok-esque when it comes to set piece and the contact area. There is a reason that Razor selected two 140kg + props, one of which played in a RWC final. It will be interesting to see the changes that Borthwick and his staff make to their coaching setup, as they knew they were bigger and more experienced than that Japanese team, but now its time to play the big dogs, and I will be interested to see if they continue with dominate up front, let the backs work a little magic or if it will be a more comprehensive and tactical setup, with an elevated kicking game and explosive wingers.
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