Black Ferns to play Super Series in San Diego

New Zealand Rugby has announced the Black Ferns will play the world's top ranked teams in a four-test series in San Diego in July.

The Women's Rugby Super Series 2019 includes the Black Ferns (1), USA (5), Canada (3), France (4) and England (2) for a round-robin tournament.

Bay of Plenty players Lesley Elder, Luka Connor, Karli Faneva and Renee Wickliffe are among the 2019 contracted players hopeful of playing in the series.

New Zealand Rugby chief rugby officer Nigel Cass said the Super Series Tests, coupled with the two-test Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy series against Australia in August, made it a significant year for the Black Ferns.

"The Women's Rugby Super Series 2019 will showcase the best women's rugby teams in the world in one tournament and it doesn't get much better than that in a non-World Cup year. This series will be a very exciting prospect for the teams and our fans.

"Last year the Black Ferns played on American soil for the first time, in Chicago, and given the growth of rugby in North America it's becoming a more regular test match destination for our teams."

Lesley Elder, pictured playing against France last year, is one of four Bay of Plenty women in the 2019 Black Ferns squad. Photo / Getty Images

This is the first time the Black Ferns have been included in the Super Series which has previously been contested by USA, Canada, France and England. It was last played in 2016 when Canada won the title and England were runner-up.

Cass said with the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup on the horizon, the Super Series would be an important milestone in preparation for the global tournament.

"These teams haven't always had regular high-level competition so it will be an important part of the build-up to 2021."

Black Ferns Women's Rugby Super Series 2019 schedule

v Canada at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Centre, Saturday, June 29

v USA at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Centre, Wednesday, July 3

v France at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Centre, Sunday, July 7

v England at San Diego State University's Torero Stadium, Monday, July 15

- Supplied content