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It’s all to play for on Sunday as the world’s best collide at Torero Stadium in a rematch of the 2017 Women’s World Cup Final. The Super Series title is on the line with England undefeated and ahead in the standings, but a New Zealand win would be good enough claim the crown.
The Red Roses survived scares from both Canada and France to set up the final showdown. They have made just three changes to the run-on side that came from behind to beat Les Bleues. Sarah Hunter continues as captain in her 116th appearance, moving in to second all-time on the England charts.
Lark Davies replaces Heather Kerr at hooker in an otherwise identical starting pack. In the backs it’s Claudia Macdonald, normally a scrumhalf, getting the start on the left wing. Amber Reed is swapped to the bench, with Emily Scott recalled at inside center.
England coach Simon Middleton say his team are relishing the occasion.
“We’re really looking forward to facing New Zealand in what should be a great end to the Super Series. We’ve shown real character in the past two matches to come away with late victories and we saw a significant step up in our performance against France. However, we know we will have to go up another level this Sunday as we’re facing the world champions.
“On their day they are one of the most challenging teams to play against but we have spoken about peaking in performance for this final game of the series, and that is what we will be expecting. The belief and focus of the squad has been evident in our preparation and now it is about delivering that on the field this Sunday.”
The Black Ferns were shocked by France in their last outing but coach Glenn Moore has resisted wholesale changes. Lesley Elder is fit to return at openside flanker and captain, and Chelsey Alley is recalled in the midfield with Kelly Brazier switching to fullback in her 40th test match.
Moore says the bye was helpful for his side following the defeat.
“We’re looking forward to getting out there this weekend. Overall it was tough out there the other day against France, but we can’t make any excuses. We didn’t play well enough to win. We welcome the seven-day turnaround between this game after playing three games in eight days.”
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 4pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on FloRugby in the USA, and Sky Sports in both New Zealand and the UK. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.
ENGLAND
1 Vickii Cornborough, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Cath O’Donnell, 5 Abbie Scott, 6 Poppy Cleall, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.), 9 Leanne Riley, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Claudia Macdonald, 12 Emily Scott, 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Lydia Thompson, 15 Sarah McKenna
Replacements: 16 Heather Kerr, 17 Ellena Perry, 18 Hannah Botterman, 19 Zoe Aldcroft, 20 Sarah Beckett, 21 Amber Reed, 22 Millie Wood, 23 Kelly Smith
NEW ZEALAND
1 Toka Natua, 2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 3 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 5 Charmaine Smith, 6 Pia Tapsell, 7 Marcelle Parkes, 8 Charmaine McMenamin, 9 Kendra Cocksedge (capt.), 10 Ruahei Demant, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12 Chelsey Alley, 13 Carla Hohepa, 14 Renee Wickliffe, 15 Kelly Brazier
Replacements: 16 Luka Connor, 17 Phillipa Love, 18 Leilani Perese, 19 Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20 Marcelle Parkes, 21 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 22 Theresa Fitzpatrick, 23 Alena Saili
Date: Sunday, July 14
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 13:00 local (16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Amy Perrett (ARU)
Assistants: Emily Hsieh (USAR) & Hayley Aguiar (USAR)
TMO: Davey Ardrey (USAR)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), Sky Sports (NZ / UK)
