Ferns set to unleash trio against US

Black Ferns head coach Glenn Moore has named three new caps to play the US tomorrow in their second test match of the Women’s Rugby Super Series 2019 in San Diego.

Wellington lock Joanah NganWoo, Canterbury hooker Forne Burkin and Waikato flanker Kennedy Simon are all set to make their test debut from the reserves.

Moore said Ngan-Woo had served her apprenticeship and was up against some stiff competition for her locking spot.

“Joanah’s worked very hard in the off-season, taking the advice we gave her and has taken another step up. We’re looking forward to seeing her play, and when her name was read out there was a massive cheer from the group, so it will be pretty special.”

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, Burkin was part of the Farah Palmer Cup-winning Canterbury side while studying in Christchurch, and Moore said the selectors had been watching her for the past couple of years.

“We’ve been impressed with Forne for a while. She has good core skills and plays well out on the edge. We’re expecting a lot of physicality from her against the US.”

Simon hails from the Waikato and has experience in sevens as well as fifteens.

Moore said she had fitted into the Black Ferns environment with ease and was constantly looking for ways to improve.

“Kennedy is very skilful and smart. She runs really clever lines and we want to have a look at her in this game to see what she can achieve on a bigger stage.”

Bay of Plenty’s Kelly Brazier has been named in the reserves, her first time in the Black Ferns jersey since the 2017 Women’s World Cup Final.

“We all know how talented Kelly is and she can cover 10, 12 and 15. Kelly brings experience, she reads the game well, and is brave on defence. She has a calm head and is conditioned to playing on the big stage. She will bring a steadying influence to the back line.”

The game kicks off at 12.15pm (NZT).

● Black Ferns (* indicates debut): 15 Renee Wickliffe, 14 Natahlia Moors, 13 Carla Hohepa, 12 Chelsea Alley, 11 Zyesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Ruahei Demant, 9 Kendra Cocksedge (vc), 8 Pia Tapsell, 7 Les Elder (c), 6 Charmaine McMenamin, 5 Charmaine Smith, 4 Eloise Blackwell, 3 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, 2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 1 Phillipa Love. Reserves: 16 Forne Burkin*, 17 Toka Natua, 18 Leilani Perese, 19 Joanah Ngan-Woo*, 20 Kennedy Simon*, 21 Arihiana MarinoTauhinu, 22 Kelly Brazier, 23 Theresa Fitzpatrick.