MATCH DETAILS: Black Ferns v USA: Saturday 11 May, 2.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton.
The Black Ferns are playing the United States, while Australia and Canada are playing in Christchurch.
Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting said, "We talk about our DNA, and we're really trying to find out what that is."
Utilising the attractive skills of the Black Ferns meant understanding what players could offer on the international stage. At the same time, they were conscious of building on the support that emerged from their World Cup success in 2022.
Bunting said, "We want to get our crowds back. That's our responsibility and the brand we play, but unleashing the special gifts we have is important."
Crowd support was an undoubted factor for players. Co-captain and first five-eighths Ruahei Demant said apart from the last few years, the Black Ferns, when travelling, were used to running out on fields where they had no support.
"To have the opportunity for that to be reversed, for us to run out and there be just a sea of black, everyone there supporting us, the energy that the crowd gives when we're on the field is so contagious."
Anyone who had never experienced that feeling would not understand what it meant.
But it was an advantage knowing they had the support of their families and New Zealanders when they played at home.
"We play an exciting style of rugby and the way we've been training, that excitement is only going to lift."
Assessing the DNA will be important with Mererangi Paul given a chance at fullback in the absence of Renee Holmes.
Bunce said she had played a few positions during Super Rugby Aupiki, and it was important for the side to have versatile players.
"You never know when we'll end up at World Cups with injuries and yellow cards, so the versatility is important. Renee Holmes is recovering from injury so we need some depth there and Mererangi has put her hand up and for the style we want to play, she's got the skill sets and whether she's on the wing, at centre, at fullback, we're sure we're going to see some of that this weekend."
Lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos, with 21 Tests, is the most capped player in the pack and has impressed with her attitude.
Demant said Roos's strength was her love of the tight, dirty work that locks do.
"You know, all that stuff that no one else is going to see, that no one else will praise you for. She loves that. She's a physical player and loves being involved in the contact and with her volleyball background she's a weapon in the air. She has such great timing, and is such a carefree spirit."
Bunting said ability in the air was a complex skill to learn.
"It takes a bit of time reading the flight but she comes along and gets it straight away, some of the others have been watching her. Netball and volleyball are good skills."
On debut are Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, who is starting at lock, and Maia Joseph, the daughter of former All Black and Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, at halfback, while Hannah King will come off the bench.
Demant said Vaipulu's and Joseph's selections were well deserved, and it had been a matter of not if but when for them.
"Then, with the rest of the new players who have come in, it brings a lot of youthful excitement. Hannah also brings a lot of maturity and poise in her game and wisdom beyond her years.
"It's exciting for the depth and growth within the team."
Skills development has been an important part of their preparation for the series. They were also looking to play the style of game they wanted, with emphasis on ball-in-hand, kicking, and defence.
Teams:
Black Ferns (caps in brackets)
1. Kate Henwood (4) 2. Georgia Ponsonby (20) 3. Tanya Kalounivale (11) 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (21) 5. Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu* 6. Liana Mikaele Tu'u (18) 7. Kennedy Simon (20) (co-captain) 8. Layla Sae (3) 9. Maia Joseph* 10. Ruahei Demant (33) (co-captain) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (6) 12. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (13) 13. Amy du Plessis (14) 14. Ruby Tui (13) 15. Mererangi Paul (5)
Reserves: 16. Luka Connor (20) 17. Chryss Viliko (2) 18. Amy Rule (19) 19. Charmaine Smith (29) 20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (2) 21. Iritana Hohaia (6) 22. Hannah King* 23. Patrica Maliepo (7)
*Denotes Black Ferns debut.
USA:
1: Hope Rogers 2: Kathryn Treder 3: Charli Jacoby 4: Hallie Taufoou 5: Erica Jarrell 6: Freda Tafuna 7: Georgie Perris-Redding 8: Rachel Johnson 9: Olivia Ortiz 10: Gabby Cantorna 11: Lotte Clapp 12: Eti Haungatau 13: Bulou Mataitoga 14: Emily Henrich 15: Tess Feury
Reserves: 16: Paige Stathopoulos, 17: Alivia Leatherman, 18: Catie Benson, 19: Jenny Kronish, 20: Tahlia Brody, 21: Taina Tukuafu, 22: Mata Hingano, 23: Autumn Czaplicki