Black Ferns team named for Wales

Aug 13 • General News, International, Rugby World Cup • 1877 Views • Comments Off on Black Ferns team named for Wales

Hot on the heels of their heartbreak at missing the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinals, the Black Ferns have suffered injury setbacks forcing a reshuffle as Coach Brian Evans names his team for the ranking match against Wales early tomorrow morning (NZT).

After dropping a pool match to Ireland and being squeezed out of the fourth semifinal berth, the best the Black Ferns can play for is fifth in the world. Ireland, England, France and Canada have all reached the World Cup semifinals, while all other teams will battle for their world ranking.

The team named for the match against Wales on Thursday morning (NZT) is:

1 Kathleen Wilton
2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili, captain
3 Aleisha Nelson
4 Jackie Patea
5 Rawinia Everitt
6 Aroha Savage
7 Justine Lavea
8 Linda Itunu
9 Kendra Cocksedge
10 Victoria Subritzky- Nafatali
11 Shakira Baker
12 Amiria Rule
13 Claire Richardson
14 Honey Hireme
15 Selica Winiata

Reserves
16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
17 Ruth McKay
18 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox
19 Eloise Blackwell
20 Emma Jensen
21 Kelly Brazier
22 Halie Tiplady-Hurring

Midfielder and Sevens captain Huriana Manuel (ankle) and lock Sanita Levave (ACL) have been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament following injuries sustained in their 34-3 pool match win over USA.

Powerful No. 8 Casey Robertson (lower back) is also out injured. Auckland loose forward Charmaine McMenamin has been called in as injury cover for the final two playoff matches.

Post-match x-rays revealed a broken left fibula for Manuel and she is returning home for specialist assessment and treatment, while Levave has an ACL (knee) injury and a tear in her lateral meniscus. She will remain with the squad until they return this weekend.

“It’s obviously disappointing for both girls who have had strong tournaments to date, but it’s part of the game and something we’ll deal with,” Evans said.

McMenamin was in the Black Ferns wider training squad in the lead-up to the World Cup and has been training fully back in Auckland.

“Charmaine was in our team last year and performed really well so she’ll be excited and ready to go. She’s always fit and always strong so we knew she would be a good choice.”

The winner of that game will meet the victor of Australia’s clash with the USA for the fifth and sixth play-off Final on Sunday.

The Black Ferns play 1.45am (NZT) tomorrow morning.