Black Ferns named to play on home soil in Whangārei for their historic 150th Test
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen has named a strong match-day 23 to take on France at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei on Saturday, October 24, 3.05pm NZDT kick-off.
The match marks the 150th Black Ferns Test and second of three against France for the home WXV Global Series, proudly supported by the New Zealand Government’s Events Boost Fund.
Black Ferns v France (Test caps bracketed)
1. Chryss Viliko (27)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (46)
3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (12)
4. Laura Bayfield (13)
5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (16)
6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (44)
7. Layla Sae (23)
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (22)
9. Tara Turner (8)
10. Ruahei Demant (57) – captain
11. Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (4)
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (38)
13. Amy Du Plessis (31)
14. Mererangi Paul (22)
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (15)
IMPACT
16. Atlanta Lolohea (14)
17. Maddison Robinson (8)
18. Santo Taumata (12)
19. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (47)
20. Amarante Sititi (3)
21. Maia Joseph (25)
22. Hannah King (19)
23. Justine McGregor (7)
Unavailable due to injury: Mia Anderson (concussion)
Thirteen changes to the side that played in Hamilton
Thirteen changes have been made to the match-day 23 that played France at FMG Stadium Waikato last weekend, with six of them in the starting line-up.
Lock Laura Bayfield joins Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu in starting lock, while Layla Sae starts in the loose forwards at seven with Liana Mikaele-Tu’u at six and Kaipo Olsen-Baker in the no.8 jersey.
Northland halfback Tara Turner will start in front of her home crowd with Ruahei Demant returning to captaincy duties in first-five eighth. Following a standout performance last Saturday with four tries to her name, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a and Mererangi Paul both move from the bench to starting wingers.
Hooker Atlanta Lolohea, props Maddison Robinson and Santo Taumata are named as replacements along with locks Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Amarante Sititi who will suit up for her fourth Test. Backs Maia Joseph, Hannah King and Justine McGregor will also look to create impact off the bench.
Watch: Black Ferns Group Chat
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen: “We’ll remain humble and hungry”
“For us, it’s about being better again both individually and as a team. France are a quality side that we will never take lightly, and we’re expecting them to come out firing.
“Our biggest pressure comes from within. It’s about how we prepare, how we train and how we perform on the field, rather than chasing outcomes. We’ll always remain humble and hungry in that pursuit, pushing ourselves and each other to be better every time we take the field.”
Watch the match LIVE on Sky Sport with highlights available on Black Ferns YouTube, 48 hours after the final whistle.
