Black Ferns ready to face challenging tour to Europe

The Black Ferns are refusing to dwell on their lack of test match play as they looking ahead to their first international matches in two years.

A 34 strong touring squad which includes 12 newcomers has been named today for tests against England and France in October and November.

Les Elder (nee Ketu) returns to captain the side after stepping away from the game in 2020 to have a baby, but now returns.

Eloise Blackwell who led the side in Elder’s absence will be vice captain along with veteran halfback Kendra Cocksedge.

The squad also includes three members of the gold-medal winning sevens team from the Tokyo Olympics in Kelly Brazier, Stacey Fluhler, and Portia Woodman.

Coach Glenn Moore knows how crucial these tests are if the side is to defend its World Cup title in New Zealand next year.

The Black Ferns haven’t played a test since mid-2019 whereas Engalnd and France will be match fit having played in the Six Nations competition.

“We know that we are going to be going in a little underdone but we need this level of competition (if we are going) to have any success at the World Cup,” he said.

Elder though is refusing to let that affect their buildup

“I see it as a challenge. I am not going to say we are playing catch up because I don’t want us to fall back on that as an excuse…fortunately for us we have been able to some domestic rugby.”

Elder is confident they can focus on areas where they may need extra work because of a lack of match play in upcoming camps the side will have before heading to Europe.

Moore concedes selection coversations were thrown a curve ball with the latest Covid 19 outbreak forcing a halt to the Farah Palmer Cup which changed how the selectors looked at assembling the squad.

“The lockdown probably did mean some players weren’t able to cement their positions in the squad and it meant we had to reflect more on the early rounds of Farah Palmer Cup and some of the situational games we’d played in camps this year. This would be one of the most difficult selection processes I can recall in my time in rugby,” said Moore.

“We’ve had to take a Covid mindset to ensure enough coverage across all positions because calling on a replacement is not as easy as it usually would be.”

“With a World Cup just around the corner this programme is critical for us. We’re playing against two the best teams in the world and they’ve come off Six Nations so we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can under these conditions to be prepared,” said Moore.

The squad newcomers are:

Ariana Bayler, Alana Bremner, Dhys Faleafaga, Iritana Hohaia, Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Tanya Kalounivale, Patricia Maliepo, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Krystal Murray, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amy Rule.

Black Ferns End of Year Tests

Weekend of 30/31 October

Black Ferns v England

Weekend of 6/7 November

Black Ferns v England

Saturday 13 November

Black Ferns v France

3pm, Stade du Hameau, Pau

Saturday 20 November

Black Ferns v France

3pm, Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres

*Venues, dates and kick off times for England fixtures to be confirmed.