This is the Black Ferns’ biggest test since the ill-fated autumn tour. It pits second against third in world standings.
Both coaches have made changes to their sides, as was to be expected.
Wayne Smith has sent just one side out to compete thus far, and Kevin Rouet is only slightly better armed with prior knowledge. But he has the great advantage of welcoming players from England, where some can recount what it’s like to walk off with one top trophy.
This is the Maple Leaf squad:
15 Elissa Alarie 14 Renee Gonzalez 13 Sara Kaljuvee 12 Alexandra Tessier 11 Paige Farries 10 Taylor Perry 9 Brianna Miller 1 Olivia Demerchant 2 Emily Tuttosi 3 DaLeaka Menin 4 Tyson Beukeboom 5 Courtney Holtkamp 6 Pam Buisa 7 Sara Svoboda 8 Sophie de Goede (captain)
Bench: 16 Veronica Harrigan 17 Brittany Kassil 18 Maya Montiel 19 Abby Duguid 20 McKinley Hunt 21 Anais Holly 22 Maddy Grant 23 Alysha Corrigan
This is the Black Ferns squad:
15 Cheyelle Robins-Reti 14 Ruby Tui 13 Amy Du Plessis 12 Ruahei Demant (captain) 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga 10 Hazel Tubic 9 Kendra Cocksedge 1 Phillipa Love 2 Luka Connor 3 Tanya Kalounivale 4 Maia Loos 5 Joanah Ngan-Woo 6 Alana Bremner 7 Tafito Lafaele 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
Bench: 16 Georgia Ponsonby 17 Angel Mulu 18 Amy Rule 19 Chelsea Bremner 20 Liana Mikaele Tu’u/Kendra Reynolds 21 Ariana Bayler/Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu 22 Sylvia Brunt* 23 Renee Wickliffe
*uncapped
Canada
The Maple Leafs front row is restored to its former glory. The Ferns’ pack came good in the second half of their Wallaroos game. Now it will undergo another big test.
Much will depend on Taylor Perry at No 10 launching her talented back-line. If she can repeat her award-winning try from the USA match, her nation will be delighted. Alex Tessier made a wonderful break behind a set-scrum and found Perry on her shoulder for an inside pass.
Renee Gonzalez gets the nod over Sabrina Poulin on the right wing. Both made a big impression in their tour game against England at the Stoop, Poulin scoring a memorable solo try.
Maddy (Madison) Grant has received top billing from Jen Boyd, her former coach in Ottawa: ‘As far as I’m concerned, she’s at the same level as Portia Woodman’ and : ‘’If she stays healthy, Madison Grant will be the best rugby player to ever come out of Canada – male or female, sevens or 15s.’
Phew!
Black Ferns
Smith has made seven changes to his starting XV, but they will have been part of a long-term policy, allowing him to try out new faces versus Australia. Against a much tougher unit he has reduced his debutants to one (Brunt off the bench) and included seven who toured Europe in 2019.
Hazel Tubic made such an impression from the bench last week that she forces the skipper Ruahei Demant out one position to second five-eighth. But that is a move Demant had to make when Grace Brooker was injured early in the Northampton game last autumn, and Tubic herself has vast test experience dating back to 2011.
The two sides have met fifteen times, the Black Ferns winning all of them. Their last encounter was in the 2019 Super Series in Chula Vista. Result: 35-20
But this must present a great opportunity for the Maple Leafs to set the record straight. Their one obvious disadvantage is playing away from home, plus possibly a lack of adjustment time for the players flying in from England.
Match Details:
Sunday, 12 June – KO 14:45 local time (03.45 BST) Canada v New Zealand The Trusts Arena, Waitakere, Auckland
Officials:
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (NZR) and Tyler Miller (RA)
TMO: Sara Cox (RFU)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Coverage:
The game can be watched on World Rugby’s YouTube channel
