Black Ferns ring changes for 2nd France test
Updated: 4 minutes ago
Head coach Whitney Hansen has made wjp;esa;e changes to the Black Ferns match-day 23 for the second WXV Global Series Test against France in Whangārei on Saturday.
There are 13 changes in total, xix of the changes are in the starting XV from the team which won the opening game against France with ease 81-12 last Saturday in Hamilton.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The match marks the 150th Black Ferns Test and second of three against France for the home WXV Global Series.
Lock Laura Bayfield joins Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu in the second row, while Layla Sae starts in the loose forwards at seven with Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and Kaipo Olsen-Baker in the No.8 jersey.
Northland halfback Tara Turner will start in front of her home crowd, with Ruahei Demant returning to captaincy duties at No.10.
Following a standout performance last Saturday with four tries to her name, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a and Mererangi Paul both move from the bench to starting wings.
Hooker Atlanta Lolohea, props Maddison Robinson and Santo Taumata are named as replacements along with locks Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Amarante Sititi who will suit up for her fourth Test. Backs Maia Joseph, Hannah King and Justine McGregor will also look to create impact off the bench.
"It's about being better again both individually and as a team. France are a quality side that we will never take lightly, and we're expecting them to come out firing," said Hansen.
"Our biggest pressure comes from within. It's about how we prepare, how we train and how we perform on the field, rather than chasing outcomes. We'll always remain humble and hungry in that pursuit, pushing ourselves and each other to be better every time we take the field."
The match at Semenoff Stadium kicks off at 3.05pm.
Black Ferns: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Mererangi Paul, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, Ruahei Demant (capt), Tara Turner; Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sa’e, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Laura Bayfield, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amarante Sititi, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Justine McGregor.
