Ferns up to strength for tougher assignment

Black Ferns coach Jed Rowlands has reverted to his optimum starting line-up for tomorrow's World Cup semifinal against France in Canada.

The team, bidding for a third successive World Cup crown, features just one change from the run-on side who opened the tournament against the hosts in Edmonton on September 1.

Shannon Willoughby has replaced Linda Itunu at the back of the scrum, with the latter to add impact off the bench.

Rowlands fielded what he considered his best side against Canada as the defending champions got off to a flyer - winning 66-7 - before ringing the changes in subsequent pool matches against Samoa and Scotland.

Those games were negotiated without conceding a point but France looms as a more challenging proposition despite losing their unbeaten record to England in their last outing.

"Although they went down [to England] they're playing good rugby," Rowlands said.

"They play a similar type of game to us; they have skilled athletes and big forwards and I am impressed with how they take their opportunities and finish them off.

"For us to do well, we will have to counter their back row and the moves that they use.

"We need to make sure that our ball, whether from set piece or second phase, is a lot tidier to give the backs a good platform to work off."

New Zealand last met France in the semifinal of the 2002 World Cup which they won 30-0 in Barcelona.

Rowlands made six changes from the side who defeated Scotland 21-0 on Saturday.

First-choice forwards, prop Casey Robertson, lock Victoria Heighway and blindside flanker Melissa Ruscoe return and Willoughby shifts from the blindside to No 8.

Midfielder Exia Edwards comes in at second five-eighths while the back three are bolstered by wing Claire Richardson and fullback Amiria Marsh.

Reserve hooker Fiao'o Fa'amausili was added to the bench after a judicial panel cleared her of stamping on a Scottish player.

Canada play England for the other spot in Monday's final.

- NZPA