Make debuts for Black Ferns

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.

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