Nelson itches to belt into Aussies

Aleisha Nelson

For Aleisha Nelson, all she can do is hope that she gets on the park tomorrow when the Black Ferns face Australia in Rotorua - but Northlanders can still get behind her by watching the game live on Sky Sport.

Nelson, from Kaihu Valley Rugby Club, has the chance to take to the field for the Black Ferns and claim her fourth cap - her first in New Zealand - when the game kicks off at 5.40pm.

Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, she won't be able to share the moment of running on to Rotorua International Stadium with fellow Northlander Portia Woodman, who is out with injury.

But, she says, it is all about taking the opportunity in front of her if she gets on the pitch.

"You can only hope when you're at this level. One good thing is they just have four props and at trials there were so many, and they were at such a high calibre, so I'm really lucky to just be in the team - which means I've got a good chance of, if not playing, then being on the bench."

Nelson's rise is something she credits from her upbringing in Northland, from a rugby-mad father right through to playing and training with the boys - which still happens now as she trains with the Western Sharks premier men's team.

"I think [being from Northland has helped], I enjoy playing with the boys and training with them because I get competitive and I want to hit them hard because you don't want to look stupid."

Tomorrow's match is part of an international women's series being hosted across Bay of Plenty in June to prepare the Black Ferns for the World Cup in France in August. The New Zealand side will play Australia, Canada and Samoa during the series.

Ferns coach Brian Evans said competition had been fierce this year with players knowing the June squad was a trial run for the World Cup, but said the immediate priority was winning the June matches.

"We have been very impressed with the work the players have put in, and we're delighted to have three new caps in the squad as well as the return of some familiar faces who were not with us last year through injury and personal commitments," he said.

Evans knows his players are hungry for opportunities only months away from a World Cup.

"We will try to do different things for a couple of games. We've not been in this position before a World Cup. I don't think any New Zealand team would take games lightly, but there's an opportunity and I think we should take it."

Outgoing New Zealand Rugby chairman Mike Eagle said the four-time World Champions were capable of special results.

"I know that the players will have an eye on securing a place in the Black Ferns squad to represent New Zealand as defending champions at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup in France in August.

"The International Series will also be a rare opportunity for rugby fans in the Bay of Plenty to get behind the black jersey when the Black Ferns play in Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatane."

Eagle said another special occasion for the Black Ferns would be next week when they played the curtain-raiser against Manusina Samoa before the All Blacks v England test match.

The Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off on August 1 in France, with New Zealand pooled with the US, Ireland and Kazakhstan.

MATCH SCHEDULE
Tomorrow: New Zealand v Australia, Rotorua International Stadium (5.40pm).
June 6: Australia v Canada, Tauranga Domain (2.30pm).
June 7: New Zealand v Samoa, Eden Park (5pm).
June 10: New Zealand v Canada, Tauranga Domain (2.30pm).
June 14: New Zealand v Canada, Rugby Park in Whakatane (2.30pm).