Demant, Saili named to make debuts for Black Ferns
Auckland first five-eighth Ruahei Demant and wing Alena Saili will make their Black Ferns debuts in Sydney tomorrow after being named to start the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy test against Australia in Sydney.
Demant will wear the No 10 jersey after fighting her way back from several injuries in the past few years in a Black Ferns squad that includes five new caps in the match day 23.
Moore put Demant’s selection down to the 23-year-old’s determination and dedication.
‘‘Ruahei never gave up on her rugby dream and worked her way back from knee surgeries. She’s a
very experienced player, she’s a strong kicker, well organised and works well with [halfback] Kendra [Cocksedge].’’
Contracted Black Ferns Sevens player Saili, 19, gets her chance on the left wing two years after leaving Southland Girls’ High School, while three others – Krysten Cottrell (Hawke’s Bay), Cristo Tofa (North Harbour) and Leilani Perese (Counties Manukau) – are in line to make their test debuts off the bench.
Cottrell is a versatile back and has won four national sevens titles with Manawatu, Perese a ball-carrying prop, and Tofa is also a front rower who has been plucked out of club rugby at the age of 31.
‘‘Cristo was selected for North Harbour’s FPC side last year and has gone from strength to strength. She can play in multiple positions in the team and is a really experienced rugby player,’’ Moore said.
The Black Ferns’ most capped player, Fiao’o Faamausili, will captain the team, with Canterbury halfback Cocksedge, and Manawatu’s Selica Winiata, named as co-vice captains.
Moore said the squad had prepared well on the back of last Saturday’s ‘Game of Three Halves’ against Bay of Plenty and Auckland.
‘‘We’ve had the luxury of more preparation time which has given us the opportunity to gel as a team, test a few things, and make sure everyone is in the best physical and mental state they can be in. The players are really enjoying being with each other and we’re really humming. It’s been more than a year since we’ve played Australia and we can’t wait to get out there.’’
The Black Ferns’ match against Australia will precede the All Blacks-Australia Bledisloe Cup test.