Black Ferns get new-look front row

Coach Jed Rowlands has continued his policy of rotating players as the unbeaten Black Ferns complete their World Cup pool play against Scotland in Canada at 11am today.

Rowlands has a new-look front row from the one that helped pummel Samoa 50-0 in their second outing with Diane Maliukaetau, captain Farah Palmer and Beth Mallard packing down against the similarly unbeaten Scots in Edmonton.

Lock Kimberley Smith and No 8 Linda Itunu are the other new faces in the pack while Rochelle Martin switches from the back of the scrum to openside.

Rowlands is mindful of a punishing five-game schedule in 17 days.

He has also rejigged his backline with first choice halfback Emma Jensen and veteran pivot Anna Richards reprising a partnership that pulled the strings during the two-time defending champions' 70-0 rout of Canada last week.

Rebecca Hull moves out a spot to second five-eighth where she will partner Huriana Manuel in midfield.

In other positional changes, Auckland's Victoria Blackledge moves from the left wing to right while Hannah Myers drops from centre to fullback.

"Our selections follow our desire to have everyone fit and available for the latter stages of the tournament," said Rowlands.

New Zealand are comfortably leading the standings on points difference ahead of France (who play England) and Scotland (who require a monumental upset to deny the title holders a semifinal berth).

"Injuries are a reality of the game and we need to make sure that come play-offs time, all the players will have had a reasonable amount of game time and be familiar with our game plan," Rowlands said.

Mel Ngatai has been the only casualty so far, the loosehead prop requiring surgery after breaking her right ankle against Samoa.

She has been replaced by Auckland captain Helen Va'aga, a veteran of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad. Va'aga is due to join the team today and has been bracketed in the reserves with Casey Robertson.

- NZPA