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Canada Women’s head coach François Ratier has named his strongest possible side to face New Zealand in Wellington on Friday. The match is the first of the International Women’s Rugby Series as the four teams, Australia and England the others, begin fine tuning ahead of the World Cup to be held in August.
Only one change is made to the starting XV that defeated the Eagles in Chula Vista on April 1. Injury to Latoya Blackwood sees Kayla Mack run out in the second row. Barb Mervin slots into the vacancy on the bench. Amanda Thornborough and Brittany Waters continue in the midfield with Andrea Burk also ruled out and Alex Tessier among the reserves. Outside back cover is supplied by Frédérique Rajotte.
The Black Ferns came away 20-10 winners in the last meeting between the two sides, played at the neutral venue of Donnybrook in Ireland last November. With Canada and New Zealand set to meet again at the World Cup, this match will be seen as vital to send a message ahead of their Pool A encounter.
Kickoff at the Westpac Stadium is set for 5pm local time on Friday, 1am Eastern. A live stream will be provided by World Rugby.
CANADA WOMEN
1 Carolyn McEwen, 2 Laura Russell, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Kayla Mack, 6 Jacey Grusnick, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Chelsea Guthrie, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Elissa Alarie, 12 Amanda Thornborough, 13 Brittany Waters, 14 Magali Harvey, 15 Julianne Zussman
Replacements: 16 Mary-Jane Kirby, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Cindy Nelles, 20 Barb Mervin, 21 Lori Josephson, 22 Alex Tessier, 23 Frédérique Rajotte
