Black Ferns selectors have named their match-day 23 which includes rugby stalwart Portia Woodman-Wickliffe on the wing in her first international XVs game since the 2022 Rugby World Cup Final.
Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting said he is thrilled to have Woodman-Wickliffe back in the black jersey.
“I’m really excited for Portia to again represent her country in front of friends and whānau, it will be a special moment for her. It’s been awesome seeing the joy in her eyes and everything she does to enhance our environment. Her willingness to learn and grow is contagious; we look forward to seeing her play this weekend against Canada,” Bunting said.
Woodman-Wickliffe is also two tries away from reaching 200 points in a Black Ferns Test match to become only the third Black Fern to reach that milestone.
Woodman-Wickliffe and Amy Rule’s start along with the return of Liana Mikaele-Tu'u to the number 8 jersey are the only three changes to the run on team that beat Australia last weekend.
Following her stellar two-try debut last Saturday, rising star Braxton Sorensen-McGee returns for another week at fullback.
In the front row, prop Amy Rule will start alongside Chryss Viliko, while Tanya Kalounivale celebrates her 20th Test match with Kate Henwood off the bench. Georgia Ponsonby starts at hooker and the locking duo of Alana Bremner and Maiakawanakaulani Roos remains unchanged. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u starts in no.8 for her first match of the year.
A virtually unchanged backline sees Co-captain Ruahei Demant and Maia Joseph in the 9 and 10 jerseys, while Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis combine again in the midfield, powerful winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga joins Woodman-Wickliffe and Sorensen-McGee to complete the back three.
Atlanta Lolohea, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King and Mererangi Paul will look to create impact off the bench.
Canada is currently ranked second in the world and secured their first-ever win over the Black Ferns (22-19) in Christchurch last year, which saw them claim the PAC4 2024 title.
“We are focused on us, our Rugby Lead and Attack coach Tony Christie along with our coaching team are doing a great job installing our game. It was good to see pieces of this come together last week versus Australia,” Bunting said.
“Last Saturday was a great stepping stone towards where we want to be, and we look forward to seeing how we build off that this week against a quality Canadian side. We are excited to play our first Test at home.”
The highly-anticipated match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 and highlights available on NZR+.
Black Ferns v Canada
1. Chryss Viliko
2. Georgia Ponsonby
3. Amy Rule
4. Alana Bremner
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos
6. Layla Sae
7. Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain)
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Maia Joseph
10. Ruahei Demant (Co-captain)
11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt
13. Amy du Plessis
14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee
16. Atlanta Lolohea
17. Kate Henwood
18. Tanya Kalounivale
19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21. Iritana Hohaia
22. Hannah King
23. Mererangi Paul
Key facts:
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Black Fern Tanya Kalounivale will celebrate her 20th Test match on Saturday.
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This will be the 19th encounter between the Black Ferns and Canada.
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Canada won 22-19 over the Black Ferns in the 2024 Pacific Four Series final which was Canada’s first-ever win over the Black Ferns.
Black Ferns timeline:
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May 14 – PAC4 accreditation applications close
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May 17 - Black Ferns v Canada 3.35pm NZT kick-off | Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand – BUY TICKETS
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May 24 - Black Ferns v USA, 3.35pm NZT kick-off | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand – BUY TICKETS