Waikato Times

At a glance

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year in history with tests against the US in Chicago and France in Toulon and Grenoble.

‘‘It’s been a learning process for a lot of people but by and large we are happy with how that’s going,’’ he said of the new contractin­g system. ‘‘What we are seeing is good depth pushing through, and some young kids coming forward really wanting to play at this level.’’

Moore is excited about adding three more talented young backs to a group spearheade­d by old hands such as skipper Fiao’o Faamausili, Kendra Cocksedge and Selica Winiata, who form the senior leadership group on tour.

Leti-l’iga, a 19-year-old wing, comes into the squad in scorching try-scoring form. She has a competitio­n-best 11 tries in the Farah Palmer Cup.

‘‘She’s young, strong, quick, knows how to break tackles and has been consistent with that all year. Ayesha is an excitement machine,’’ said Moore.

He’s equally enthused about the prospect of bringing 21-yearold midfielder Moata’ane and wing Moors up to speed with the

Black Ferns, forwards: Eloise Blackwell, Les Elder, Fiao’o Faamausili (c), Aldora Itunu, Linda Itunu, Pip Love, Charmaine McMenamin, Aleisha Nelson, Joanah Ngan-Woo*, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamat­e, Marcelle Parkes*, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Leilani Perese, Aroha Savage, Charmaine Smith, Cristo Tofa.

Backs: Chelsea Alley, Kendra Cocksedge, Krysten Cottrell, Kiritapu Demant, Ruahei Demant, Ayesha Leti-l’iga*, Kilisitina Moata’ane*, Natahlia Moors*, Kristina Sue, Monica Tagoai*, Stacey Waaka, Renee Wickliffe, Selica Winiata. * Denotes uncapped.

Northern tour:

v USA, Chicago, November 4

(6am NZ time) v France, Toulon, November 10

(9am NZT) v France, Grenoble, November 17

(2:30am NZT)

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