New look Black Ferns headed for San Diego

The World Champions are headed to San Diego, and they’ve brought some new names to show off in the Women’s Rugby Super Series. New Zealand coach Glenn Moore has named eight new caps in his 30-strong squad that will open the round-robin competition against Canada on Friday.

With iconic captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili now retired and world class prop Aldora Itunu injured, Moore has three new front rowers in Forne Burkin, Luka Connor, and Olivia Ward-Duin. Locks Karli Faneva and Joanah Ngan-Woo are first-timers, as are loose forwards Kennedy Simon and Pia Tapsell.

The backs are more experienced with only one new cap in Counties Manukau scrumhalf Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, who will act as understudy to World Cup star Kendra Cocksedge. Other standouts from the 2017 event include Kelly Brazier, Carla Hohepa, and Renee Wickliffe.

Back row Lesley Elder (née Ketu) is the new captain with Cocksedge and lightning-quick fullback Selica Winiata named vice-captains. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate has stepped into Fa’amausili’s shoes at hooker with Toka Natua and Aleisha Pearl-nelson expected to be first choice props. Behind them will be a strong second row in Eloise Blackwell and Charmaine Smith.

New Zealand will take on the hosts USA second, followed by France and a World Cup Final rematch with England. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport NZ and FloRugby in the USA. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.

FORWARDS
Phillipa Love (Canterbury), Toka Natua (Waikato), Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (Auckland), Leilani Perese (Counties Manukau), Olivia Ward-Duin (North Harbour), Forne Burkin (Canterbury), Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty), Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Counties Manukau), Eloise Blackwell (Auckland), Karli Faneva (Bay of Plenty), Joanah Ngan-Woo (Wellington), Charmaine Smith (Auckland), Lesley Elder (capt., Bay of Plenty), Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland), Marcelle Parkes (Wellington), Kennedy Simon (Waikato), Pia Tapsell (North Harbour)

BACKS
Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau), Chelsea Alley (Waikato), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Krysten Cottrell (Hawke’s Bay), Ruahei Demant (Auckland), Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland). Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Ayesha Leti-I’iga (Wellington), Natahlia Moors (Auckland), Alena Saili (Southland), Renee Wickliffe (Bay of Plenty), Selica Winiata (Manawatu)

FIXTURES
Fri, June 28 – vs Canada
Tues, July 2 – vs USA
Sat, July 6 – vs France
Sun, July 14 – vs England