At a glance

What: Pacific Four Series

Who: Black Ferns vs United States Where, when: Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei; 4pm today

Black Ferns: Renee Holmes, Renee Wickliffe, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Ruahei Demant, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu; Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kendra Reynolds, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Joanah Ngan Woo, Leilani Perese, Natalie Delamare, Phillipa Love. Reserves: Georgia Ponsonby, Krystal Murray, Lucy Anderson, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Tafito Lafaele, Kendra Cocksedge, Chelsea Semple, Hazel Tubic.

United States: Bulou Mataitoga, Tess Feury, Alev Kelter, Katana Howard, Charlotte Clapp, Megan Foster, Carly Waters; Kate Zackary (c), Rachel Johnson, Elizabeth Cairns, Kristine Sommer, Jordan Matyas, Nick James, Joanna Kitlinski, Hope Rogers. Reserves: Kathryn Treder, Maya Learned, Charli Jacoby, Evelyn Ashenbrucker, Georgie Perris-Riding, Bridget Kahele, Gabby Cantorna, Meya Bizer.

the field, and is such a good human at her club that she plays at. She runs the game and has a great running game,’’ Clarke said.

‘‘She’s physical and is excellent when it comes to the jackal, but it will be her leadership that stands out.

‘‘We want her to push Kendra and be one of the best in the world herself. That’s why she’s getting a start.’’

The Blues-Crusaders final is too close to call.

Stuff takes a look at four crucial matchups at Eden Park on Saturday.

Beauden Barrett v Richie Mo’unga

The Blues No 10 will start for the All Blacks against Ireland, so it’s not a test trial as such, but the two playmakers will have an enormous influence on Saturday’s outcome. Barrett’s running game has been outstanding this season – there are far fewer lateral movements, and the 31-year-old is trying to target any lazy defenders in the middle of the field. His brother Scott will be determined to sort him out at Eden Park, but that’s easier said than done.

Mo’unga, meanwhile, was the difference between the Crusaders and Chiefs last weekend. His ability to produce big plays in Super Rugby finals is without peer, and he is 18 out of 19 from the kicking tee in his past three games.

Verdict: Draw

The classic young(ish) bull versus old bull. The Blues lock lacks Whitelock’s size and experience, but if there is one matchup where an ovelooked player can send a message to the All Blacks selectors, it’s Robinson against Whitelock. It’s a big challenge for the Northlander, because we all know how the script goes: the All Blacksstacked Crusaders tight five put their squeeze on their rivals, pinch a few lineout balls, and show them what pressure rugby is all about. A few years ago that would have been a guarantee, but Whitelock has been showing signs of wear and tear over the past 12 months, whereas Robinson’s energy has been boundless. But does experience ultimately win on the big stage?

Verdict: Advantage Crusaders

Rieko Ioane v Jack Goodhue

The Blues will have analysed the Crusaders’ win against the Reds in the quarterfinal about a million times, because the Reds carved open the Crusaders’ defence twice to produce tries to Suliasi Vunivalu and Filipo Daugunu. Is Goodhue vulnerable against fast centres who get on his outside? He certainly looked to be struggling when Reds No 13 Jordan

Petaia outpaced him to set up Vunivalu’s five-pointer.

Ioane’s game, meanwhile, is built on speed and Goodhue will need all his rugby IQ to shut down the Blues No 13.

Ioane’s determination to make the shift from the wing to midfielder is paying dividends, as evidenced by his slick pass to set up Mark Telea’s try of the season against the Rebels.

Verdict: Advantage Blues

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck v David Havili

Both No 12s were named in the All Blacks squad on Monday, so it’s fair to say that this matchup has implications beyond the Super Rugby Pacific final. Their tussle will be a contrast of styles, with Tuivasa-Sheck all fast-twitch muscle fibres and explosive acceleration, while Havili is the unhurried strategist.

It’s a hard one to call, too, because Havili can be prone to the odd poor game, and manipulated into poor defensive reads coming out of the line. However, the bravery he has shown since his rather reluctant move into the midfield has been huge, and the Crusaders’ vice-captaincy shows how much Scott Robertson thinks of him.

Verdict: Advantage Crusaders