Black Ferns named for clash with France
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen has named her team to open their WXV Global Series campaign against France at Matmut Stadium in Lyon on Sunday morning..
The opening of three Northern Hemisphere Tests for the Black Ferns, the clash marks the first time the two sides have met since the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Bronze final.
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Six changes have been made to the match-day 23 that took on South Africa last Saturday, which includes loose forward Layla Sae who completes her remarkable return from ACL injury.
Midfielder Alena Saili is also named and will make her first Black Ferns appearance since 2018. Both players will look to create impact off the bench.
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen congratulated Layla and Alena on their selections for this week.
“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,” Hansen said.
“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.”
In the starting XV, the front row of Chryss Viliko (loosehead prop), Georgia Ponsonby (hooker) and Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (tighthead prop) remains unchanged, with Ponsonby leading as captain. Co-captain Ruahei Demant has been ruled out of the away WXV Global Series as previously announced due to injury.
The locking duo will see Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Laura Bayfield start, with loose forward trio Mia Anderson, Elinor-Plum King and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u.
The backline will see Maia Joseph in halfback and Hannah King in the number 10 jersey, while Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Amy Du Plessis are named in the midfield. Justine McGregor earns a starting spot on the wing along with Mererangi Paul, while Braxton Sorensen-McGee rounds out the starting XV in fullback.
Joining Sae and Saili on the bench will be Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Tara Turner and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a.
“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. This weekend is going to take us being switched on and staying on.”
Black Ferns v France
1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby– captain, 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Laura Bayfield, 6. Mia Anderson, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Hannah King. 11. Justine McGregor, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy Du Plessis, 14. Mererangi Paul, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Reserves: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Maddison Robinson, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 20. Layla Sae, 21. Tara Turner22. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, 23. Alena Saili
Unavailable due to injury: Kaipo Olsen-Baker (shoulder), Ayesha Leti-I’iga (calf), Ruahei Demant (calf).
