Here’s the latest from Kiwiland: Jorja Miller will miss the semi- final against Canada. The injury is unspecified, but a knee is suspect. Add to that the withdrawal of Laura Bayfield. Kiwi anxiety is calmed somewhat by the naming of co-captain, Kennedy Tukuafu, as Miller’s replacement. Layla Sa’e is brought in for Bayfield.
The squad looks like this:
15 RENEE HOLMES 14 BRAXTON SORENSEN-MCGEE 13 STACEY WAAKA 12 SYLVIA BRUNT 11 PORTIA WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE 10 RUAHEI DEMANT 9 RISI POURI-LANE 1 CHRYSS VILIKO 2 GRACE PONSONBY 3 TANYA KALOUNIVALE 4 MAIA ROOS 5 ALANA BREMNER 6 LIANA MIKAELE TU’U 7 KENNEDY TUKUAFU 8 KAIPO OLSEN-BAKER
16 ATLANTA LOLOHEA 17 KATE HENWOOD 18 AMY RULE 19 CHELSEA BREMNER 20 LAYLA SA’E 21 MAIA JOSEPH 22 THERESA SETEFANO 23 AYESHA LETI-I’IGA
To most outsiders this looks a desperately strong outfit. It’s the local reaction that tells a different story. Canada is seen as a very tough nut to crack, forget the English for a moment. Fans are relieved to see other injury-doubts able to reappear.
Allan Bunting had already called up Mererangi Paul as replacement for Amy du Plessis, a winger for a centre. Flying halfway round the world is no way to prepare for challenges of this sort.
Can the Black Ferns still hold on to their treasured position as world champions?
