Black Ferns putting their faith in powerful props

Black Ferns coach Darryl Suasua emphasised forward power in naming his side to play the first test against England in Rotorua today.

Suasua expects the imposing English side to attack the Black Ferns at the set pieces and in the tight, in a repeat of the forward battle between the two sides in last year's Canada Cup final in Winnipeg, which New Zealand eventually won, 32-12.

"This is one of the biggest tests we have faced for many years. We know England will throw everything at us from the start and we are expecting to work hard," Suasua said.

"The English have traditionally shown a dominance in the forwards. We remember how tough it was last year at the Canada Cup when they had our scrum under a lot of pressure, and we're working hard to match them."

Suasua has reflected the need for forward muscle by starting with powerful props Rebecca Luia'ana and Regina Sheck, who both weigh 90kg and came off the bench to good effect against England in Canada.

Uncapped prop Tia Paasi, who is 99kg, wins a place on the bench, while Suasua is also able to look to imposing young loose forward Tala Mulipola and lock Rhonda Kay to keep the pressure on among the forwards.

Other changes have flankers Melodie Robinson (openside) and Rochelle Martin (blindside) returning after being sidelined by injury, with winger Vanessa Cootes, who missed the England cup match through a knee injury.

New Zealand head into the test with a few injury worries among the backs, however, with key players Tammi Wilson and Anna Richards facing fitness tests.

Hannah Myers has been bracketed at fullback with Wilson, while reserve winger Sandie Yates is under a cloud, forcing Suasua to call in Bay of Plenty and New Zealand sevens player Tamuku Paul as cover.

Despite the Black Ferns' 10-year unbeaten record, Suasua said his team were feeling the pressure going into the two-test series against England, who swept aside Australia 3-0 en route to New Zealand.

"Their players are semi-professional and they have two fully professional coaches," Suasua said.

"What they don't have is the black jersey or the Black Ferns' history and tradition to motivate them."

The New Zealanders have not lost an international match since their World Cup semifinal defeat to the United States in 1991, going an incredible 26 matches without defeat.

Captain Farah Palmer acknowledged the record could be used for motivation heading into the clash.

"No one wants to be a member of the first Black Ferns team to lose since 1991," she said.

The second test will be held at North Harbour Stadium next Saturday as the curtain-raiser to the All Blacks test against Samoa.

Black Ferns: Tammi Wilson or Hannah Myers, Vanessa Cootes, Annaleah Rush, Exia Shelford, Suzy Shortland, Anna Richards, Monique Hirovanaa, Cheryl Waaka, Melodie Robinson, Victoria Heighway, Fiona King, Rochelle Martin, Rebecca Liua'ana, Farah Palmer (c), Regina Sheck. Reserves: Suzy Dawson, Tia Paasi, Rhonda Kay, Tala Mulipola, Neroli Knight, Amina Marsh, Sandie Yates.

England: Paula George (c), Nicky Crawford, Assunta De Biase, Emily Feltham, Selina Rudge, Shelley Rae, Jo Yapp, Gill Burns, Helen Clayton, Teresa Andrews, Jenny Sutton, Georgia Stevens, Teresa O'Reilly, Amy Garnett, Nass Huxford. Reserves: Nicky Goodwin, Jenny Smith, Nicky Coffin, Claire Frost, Nicky Maston, Nicki Jupp, Eilidh Smith.

- NZPA