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Three debutants named for Black Ferns in season opener against USA

Ruby Tui in the Black Ferns huddle. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

New Zealand and the USA are set to kick off the 2024 Pacific Four Series in Hamilton this weekend, and Black Ferns coach All Bunting hasn’t been afraid to throw some bright young stars into the matchday 23.

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Three debutants have been named to face the USA, with impressive lock Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu starting alongside Maiakawanakaulani Roos in the second row and Maia Joseph entrusted with the No. 9 jersey. 20-year-old playmaker Hannah King has been named for a debut off the bench, with co-captain Ruahei Demant retaining her the No. 10 jersey.

After breakthrough seasons in Super Rugby Aupiki, the youngsters have continued to impress Bunting and his coaching team in Black Ferns camp, with their selections coming at the expense of some more experienced names.

“Each of these ladies have continued to impress us since joining the Black Ferns squad,” Bunting said.

“They have worked diligently and it’s awesome to be able to reward them with this opportunity and enjoy the occasion. It will be a special moment for them and their wh?nau and one they should be proud of. We are all excited for them and have their backs this weekend.”

It will be the first game of 2024 for the team and the first since their disappointing WXV 1 campaign in 2023, which saw the reigning world champions finish fourth with just one win from their three games.

Bunting said the team were motivated for the occasion and noted the consistency he’d seen in key areas throughout training camp.

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“We have seen consistency in a few areas we have been working through and we are looking forward to seeing this in our opening Test. Our coaching group have been pleased with the intent and focus our squad have been putting in. We know our ladies are eager to kick off their international season and take on the USA in front of our fans at home.”

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Black Ferns team to play USA is (Test caps in brackets)

1. Kate Henwood (4)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (20)
3. Tanya Kalounivale (11)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (21)
5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu*
6. Liana Mikaele Tu’u (18)
7. Kennedy Simon (20) (co-captain)
8. Layla Sae (3)
9. Maia Joseph*
10. Ruahei Demant (33) (co-captain)
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (6)
12. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt (13)
13. Amy du Plessis (14)
14. Ruby Tui (13)
15. Mererangi Paul (5)

Reserves

16. Luka Connor (20)
17. Chryss Viliko (2)
18. Amy Rule (19)
19. Charmaine Smith (29)
20. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (2)
21. Iritana Hohaia (6)
22. Hannah King*
23. Patrica Maliepo (7)

*Denotes Black Ferns debut.

Unavailable: Renee Holmes. 

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H
Hellhound 16 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.

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