Sevens stars unavailable for Black Ferns

WELLINGTON: Star trio Portia Woodman, Kelly Brazier and Sarah Goss are missing from the Black Ferns squad named for two tests against Australia next month.

Two Sevens World Cup players and eight new caps have been named, but three of the Black Ferns mainstays made themselves unavailable for selection to concentrate on their Black Ferns Sevens commitments.

Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore said he and New Zealand sevens coach Allan Bunting were both understand the players’ reasoning for not being available for the transtasman series.

‘‘Portia, Sarah and Kelly have decided to concentrate on their World Cup recovery and preparation for Tokyo for the time being and we all support what is best for them.’’

Woodman was named the women’s player of the year at last year’s World Rugby Awards.

Experienced captain Fiao’o Faamausili will lead the young squad. Selica Winiata (31) and Kendra Cocksedge (42) have been named as covice captains.

Moore has ushered in four new backs and four new forwards to the 28strong squad to play in matches that will anchor two doubleheaders with the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia in Sydney and Auckland.

The new caps are Krysten Cottrell, Ruahei Demant, Alena Saili and Monica Tagoa’i in the backs, and Joanah NganWoo, Marcelle Parkes, Leilani Perese and Cristo Tofa in the forwards.

Moore said the depth of his squad meant the selectors would have some tough decisions to make before the test season.

Parkes’ selection completes a meteoric rise for the 20yearold.

Parkes had already represented New Zealand in softball and netball before her impressive sevens debut for Wellington led to her securing a Black Ferns contract earlier this year.

Ruahei Demant joins younger sister Kiritapu in the squad after overcoming a series of serious knee injuries. Kiritapu debuted for the Black Ferns in 2015.

The Demant siblings join the Aldora and Linda Itunu sisters in te lineup, and will be the fourth set of sisters to represent the Black Ferns.