Rugby: Five debutants named in Black Ferns squad to face Wallaroos

  • 16/08/2018
Ruahei Demant will make her international debut.
Ruahei Demant will make her international debut. Photo credit: Photosport

Black Ferns head coach Glenn Moore has named five debutants in the 23-strong squad to face the Wallaroos on Saturday in the first of two tests between the two sides.

Auckland first-five Ruahei Demant and wing Alena Saili have been named to start while Cristo Tofa, Leilani Perese and Krysten Cottroll are in line to make their debuts off the bench. 

Demant will wear the pivotal number 10 jersey after fighting her way back from several injuries in the past few years, while Saili, 19, gets her chance on the left wing.

"We've named five debutants in the team for Saturday, but the amount of rugby experience they all have is significant," said Moore.

 Rugby: Five debutants named in Black Ferns squad to face Wallaroos

"The combination of the experienced test match players and these new players talented makes this team an exciting mix."

The Black Ferns most capped player, Fiao'o Faamausili, will captain the team in Sydney, with Canterbury halfback Cocksedge, and Manawatu's Winiata, named as co-vice captains. 

Moore said the squad had prepared well and benefitted from last Saturday's Game of Three Halves against Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

"We've had the luxury of more preparation time which has given us the opportunity to gel as a team, test a few things, and make sure everyone is in the best physical and mental state they can be in.

"The players are really enjoying being with each other and we're really humming. It's been more than a year since we've played Australia and we can't wait to get out there."

Black Ferns squad to face Wallaroos

1 - Phillipa Love , 2 - Fiao'o Faamausili (c), 3 - Aldora Itunu, 4 - Eloise Blackwell , 5 - Charmaine Smith, 6 - Charmaine McMenamin, 7 - Les Elder, 8 - Aroha Savage, 9 - Kendra Cocksedge, 10 - Ruahei Demant , 11 - Alena Saili , 12 - Theresa Fitzpatrick, 13 - Stacey Waaka, 14 - Renee Wickliffe , 15 - Selica Winiata 

Reserves: 16 - Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 17 - Cristo Tofa, 18 - Leilani Perese, 19 - Jackie Patea-Fereti, 20 - Linda Itunu, 21 - Kristina Sue , 22 - Krysten Cottrell, 23 - Chelsea Alley 

Newshub. 

Join us at 6:50pm Saturday for live updates of the Black Ferns vs Wallaroos test