Rugby: Black Ferns to keep foot on Wallaroos' throats

Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge scores against Canada on Friday. Photo / Photosport.

The Black Ferns have never lost to the Australian Wallaroos in women's internationals and that trend is not about to change when they clash in Christchurch tomorrow for the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy.

South Island fans of the Black Ferns have been starved of seeing their team for an astonishing 20 years, so this will be some occasion for the team as they continue their Women's Rugby World Cup preparations, having been good in patches against a physical Canada in Friday's 28-16 victory in Wellington.

Last season the Black Ferns swept Australia 67-3 and 29-3 and a scoreline in between those two scores is on the cards after Australia were beaten 53-10 by England on Friday.
The clear work-on for the Black Ferns is discipline after conceding several penalties and two yellow cards on Friday.

Coach Glenn Moore has rung the changes, six of them, plus two positional switches, as he build towards Saturday's clash with England in Rotorua and the WRWC.

North Harbour lock Becky Wood wins a debut after a fine Farah Palmer Cup in 2016, while Aldora Itunu and Toka Natua are the new starting props. The veteran Honey Hireme slots onto the wing, while Portia Woodman shifts sides, Theresa Fitzpatrick starts at second five and Kelly Brazier moves into the No 10 position.

"The team has really been looking forward to playing this test in Christchurch. It's fantastic to be in the South Island and to put on some skilful, exciting rugby for fans," says Moore.

"There were areas where we let ourselves down (on Friday) with some ill-discipline and we didn't always take advantage of our talented backline. We'll be looking to improve on those areas tomorrow."

There looks to be ample impact off the bench via the likes of Chelsea Alley, Aleisha Nelson and Linda Itunu.

The Wallaroos have made eight changes, including the re-introduction, after three years, of sevens star and Olympic gold medallist Sharni Williams at centre.

"New Zealand are arguably the form side in women's 15s rugby at the moment and the chance to face them ahead of the World Cup later this year will be a great benefit for our side as we continue our preparation," says Wallaroos coach Paul Verrell.

England and Canada will lock horns in a potentially tight early Rugby Park encounter at 12.30pm.

The Black Ferns v Australia kickoff is at 2.45pm. Entry is free and Sky Sport 1 will be showing the game live.

Black Ferns: Selica Winiata, Honey Hireme, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Portia Woodman, Kelly Brazier, Kendra Cocksedge, Charmaine McNemamin, Sarah Goss, Charmaine Smith, Rebecca Wood, Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Fiao'o Fa'amausili (c), Toka Natua

Reserves: Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Sosoli Talawadua, Aleisha Nelson, Lesley Ketu, Linda Itunu, Kristina Sue, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Chelsea Alley

Australian Wallaroos: Ashleigh Hewson (c), Cobie-Jane Morgan, Sharni Williams, Kayla Sauvao, Samantha Treherne, Fenella Hake, Katrina Barker, Victoria Latu, Vesinia Schaaf-Taufa, Chloe Butler, Alexandra Sulusi, Millie Boyle, Caroline Fairs, Cheyenne Campbell, Hana Ngaha

Reserves: Liz Patu, Violeta Tupuola, Hilisha Samoa, Alisha Hewett, Kiri Lingman, Ashleigh Timoko, Sarah Riordan, Nareta Marsters