Black Ferns to play France in Grenoble named

Nov 15 • General News, International, Womens Rugby • 1659 Views • Comments Off on Black Ferns to play France in Grenoble named

Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore has made one change to the line-up of the team to play France in the second Test match this weekend. Auckland Storm’s Natahlia Moors is set to make her debut in Grenoble.

The team is (number of caps in brackets, * denotes debut):

1.	Phillipa Love (6)
2.	Fiao’o Faamausili (56, captain)
3.	Aldora Itunu (19)
4.	Eloise Blackwell (36)
5.	Charmaine Smith (20)
6.	Charmaine McMenamin (18)
7.	Les Elder (13)
8.	Aroha Savage (32)
9.	Kendra Cocksedge (46, vice captain)
10.	Krysten Cottrell (4)
11.	Ayesha Leti-I’iga (2)
12.	Ruahei Demant (4)
13.	Stacey Waaka (15)
14.	Renee Wickliffe (34)
15.	Selica Winiata (35, vice captain)

16.	Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (24)
17.	Leilani Perese (4)
18.	Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (28)
19.	Jackie Patea-Fereti (16)
20.	Linda Itunu (39)
21.	Kristina Sue (14)
22.	Monica Tagaoi (2)
23.	Natahlia Moors*

The introduction of Moors as a reserve wing is an opportunity to provide extra fire power in the back line for a match that’s expected to bring plenty of excitement.

Moore said he was proud of the way the Black Ferns had risen to the challenge of their first encounter against France in Toulon last week.

“We expected the French to come out firing and they did just that. This weekend we’re expecting that level of intensity to ramp up a notch.

“The players have recovered well since Friday and we’ve been upping the intensity all week in preparation. Having an extra day up our sleeves has given us more time to further refine our game plans and manage a couple of minor injuries.”

Moore said 22-year-old Moors was another of the new, young crop of players determined to make their mark in rugby.

“Natahlia has a fantastic work ethic and it shows. She’s had a great Farah Palmer Cup and has really stood out in this environment. Her role is to come off the bench and make a difference, and we’re confident she will do that. We’re looking forward to seeing her get out there and make her mark.”

Saturday’s line-up sees a more traditional five forwards and three backs named for the bench, a shift from the six forwards and two backs named last week.

Moore said after analysis of last week’s match and consideration of anticipated drier conditions, changing the make up of the reserves was the correct approach.

A large crowd was expected for the afternoon match on Saturday, an opportunity the team would relish, according to their coach.

“Every time this team pulls on a black jersey they want to put out their best performance, and this Saturday will be no exception. This will be their last Test match for 2018 and we all want to finish on a high. It’s going to be high intensity and we will need to retain our composure.

“We expected that kind of physicality from the French because we had two powerful forward packs trying to assert dominance over each other. I thought we fronted that part of it really well.

“We’re well aware that France will be wanting to put a stop to us finishing on top and that just spurs us on more. The team is pumped to put on another great performance,” Moore said.

NORTHERN TOUR

Test match 1:
Soldier Field, Chicago, USA
Saturday 3 November,
V USA
Result: Black Ferns 67-6 USA

Test match 2:
Stade Felix Mayol, Toulon, France
Friday, 9 November
V France
Result: Black Ferns 14-0 France

Test match 3:
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France
Saturday, 17 November
V France

Kickoff: 2.30pm (18 November, 2.30am NZT)

Broadcasting
All matches will be broadcast live on SKY Sport