2018 Black Ferns
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Ha, Faamausil has moved to the flanks. Reserve hooker is on.
The new 19-year-old winger has scored her first try on debut.
Full time:
USA 6 - 67 Black Ferns
Great win, but inexperienced opponent. The real tests will be played in France, starting next week.
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Black Ferns team for the first test against France (number of caps in brackets; * indicates debut):
1 Phillipa Love (5)
2 Fiao'o Faamausili (55, captain)
3 Aldora Itunu (18)
4 Eloise Blackwell (35)
5 Charmaine Smith (19)
6 Charmaine McMenamin (17)
7 Les Elder (12)
8 Aroha Savage (31)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (45, vc)
10 Krysten Cottrell (3)
11 Ayesha Leti-I'iga (1)
12 Ruahei Demant (3)
13 Stacey Waaka (14)
14 Renee Wickliffe (33)
15 Selica Winiata (34, vc)Reserves:
16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (23)
17 Leilani Perese (3)
18 Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (27)
19 Jackie Patea-Fereti (15)
20 Linda Itunu (38)
21 Marcelle Parkes*
22 Kristina Sue (38)
23 Monica Tagoai (1)Sat. 9.00am - LIVE on Sky Sport 2
Moore has named one debutant – flanker Marcelle Parkes from Wellington - in the lineup, while Hawke’s Bay’s Krysten Cottrell will start at first five, with Ruahei Demant moving to second five.
The combination of Demant and Cottrell was tested during last weekend’s Test match against USA, and Moore was pleased with what he saw. “Ruahei and Krysten bring their own skillsets which combine well in their positions. Together, and working with Kendra, they will bring new aspects to our game which will be important against the French – particularly when it comes to our kicking options,” he said. The Black Ferns reserves will be made up of six forwards and two backs, a proven combination from last year's Women’s Rugby World Cup.
http://www.allblacks.com/News/33409/black-ferns-team-named-to-play-france
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Linda Itunu to retire after the Black Ferns' EOYT.
Although she is still loving her rugby and feeling fit, the 33-year-old wants to end her rugby career on a high note before joining the police. "To be honest I am one of the old ones in the team, I am pretty much part of the furniture now," she said. "I am pretty happy with what I have achieved in rugby, so I will be definitely hanging up the boots after this year."
Linda Itunu first debuted for the Black Ferns back in 2003, when she was just 18, and is a three-time Women's Rugby World Cup winner (2006, 2010 and 2017). Just seven women have played more than her 34 tests for the Black Ferns. Itunu also made 11 tournament appearances for the Black Ferns Sevens from 2009-14.
A pretty impressive rugby career for a female player. 34 tests is quite a lot, considering the low number of tests the Ferns have played over the years.
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Ten minutes into the game and it's still 0 - 0. Most of the play has been in the French half, but the the Frenchies are looking strong.
The numbers 1 and 3 of the 2017 World Cup, so a good contest should be expected. Ground looks terrible, very wet.
Great to see that handbags are also being used in the women's game
Have already had to endure quite some buffering in my stream, so I hope I'll be able to watch the entire game.