The Black Ferns are gearing up for their final pool match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup against Ireland at Brighton and Hove Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2.45pm BST kick-off, (Monday, September 8, 1.45am NZT).
The Black Ferns coaching group has selected their match-day 23 which includes winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga who returns from an ankle injury sustained in the match against Spain. Kennedy Tukuafu also resumes her co-captaincy duties off the bench alongside starting first five-eighth Ruahei Demant.
In the starting XV, the front row remains unchanged with props Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale and Georgia Ponsonby anchoring the scrum. The locking duo of Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Alana Bremner will also start again. The loose forwards will see a positional change for Layla Sae and Jorja Miller, while Liana Mikaele-Tu’u will start in the no. 8 jersey.
It’s a simliar look for the backs with Risaleaana Pouri-Lane and Demant named in number 9 and 10, as well as the midfield combination of Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Stacey Waaka. New Zealand’s current top try-scorer, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Player of the Match v Japan Braxton Sorensen-McGee have been named on the wings. Renee Holmes rounds out the starting XV at fullback.
Following their World Cup debut last weekend, Kate Henwood and Maia Joseph have been named on the bench alongside Vici-Rose Green, Amy Rule, Laura Bayfield, Theresa Setefano and Leti-I’iga. Bayfield was cleared to play after the independent disciplinary update following her red card issued last Sunday.
A win for the Black Ferns will see a top of the table finish, while the Northampton clash between South Africa and France over the weekend will determine who they will play in next week’s quarter-final.
Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting said the team has settled into Brighton well and are looking forward to this week’s match against Ireland.
“We’ve been blessed with world-class facilities and a warm welcome here in Brighton which has allowed us a quality lead into this weekend. Every game in our World Cup journey is crucial to us, and we want to finish our pool phase strong,” Bunting said.
“Our wāhine (women) have all had an opportunity to play the past two games. Consistency and cohesion will be a key focus around our selections. We have had critical learnings out of the last two weeks and are building well.”
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 in New Zealand with highlights available on NZR+ and Black Ferns YouTube (four hours following the final whistle).
Read more to preview Black Ferns v Ireland here.
Black Ferns team v Ireland (Test caps):
1. Chryss Viliko (15)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (33)
3. Tanya Kalounivale (24)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (34)
5. Alana Bremner (31)
6. Layla Sae (16)
7. Jorja Miller (4)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (31)
9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (4)
10. Ruahei Demant (47) – co-captain
11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (30)
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (26)
13. Stacey Waaka (28)
14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (5)
15. Renee Holmes (25)
16. Vici-Rose Green (3)
17. Kate Henwood (11)
18. Amy Rule (31)
19. Laura Bayfield (3)
20. Kennedy Tukuafu (31) – co-captain
21. Maia Joseph (12)
22. Theresa Setefano (21)
23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (27)
