Ferns prop suspended for three games

Auckland prop Chryss Viliko.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Black Ferns prop Chryss Viliko has been suspended for three games after she was found guilty of a reckless charge.

The penalty will be reduced to two games if she successfully completes the Coaching Intervention Programme.

Viliko attended an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing for the offence relating to dangerous charging in a ruck in New Zealand’s WXV 1 match against France.

Viliko accepted that foul play had occurred but maintained that the offence did not warrant a red card.

The committee considered the mitigating factors, including admission of foul play, an exemplary disciplinary record, apology to the player and good character, and reduced the sanction by 50 per cent.

As a result, Viliko will miss tests against Wales and England and the Auckland Club Sevens competition.

Meanwhile, the Black Ferns have announced the team to take on Wales in their second match of the inaugural WXV1 Tournament this Saturday afternoon in Dunedin.

Following their intense clash against France last weekend, seven changes have been made to the match day 23 to take on Wales.

Loosehead prop Kate Henwood, lock Chelsea Bremner, loose forward Layla Sae and winger Mererangi Paul earn their first start of the WXV1 Tournament.

On the bench, experienced forwards Krystal Murray and Alana Bremner will be a force when injected into the match alongside halfback Iritana Hohaia.

This will be the first time since 1997 that the Black Ferns have played in Dunedin in what will be an historic match-up between the Black Ferns and their Welsh rivals.

Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said the team are rapt to be in Dunedin and were looking forward to the challenge Wales presents.

“There was plenty to be proud about our game against France, and we were pleased with the growth our wāhine displayed in certain aspects of our game. We see that game as a gift for us at this stage of our journey as we shift our focus to Wales, and we have been working well at making critical adjustments as a group.”

Black Ferns team to play Wales-

1. Kate Henwood (2)

2. Georgia Ponsonby (18)

3. Amy Rule (17)

4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (19)

5. Chelsea Bremner (16)

6. Layla Sae (1)

7. Kennedy Simon (18) (Co-Captain)

8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (16)

9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (17)

10. Ruahei Demant (31) (Co-Captain)

11. Mererangi Paul (3)

12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt (11)

13. Amy du Plessis (12)

14. Ruby Tui (11)

15. Renee Holmes (14)

16. Luka Connor (18)

17. Krystal Murray (12)

18. Tanya Kalounivale (11)

19. Alana Bremner (17)

20. Lucy Jenkins (4)

21. Iritana Hohaia (4)

22. Patricia Maliepo (5)

23. Martha Mataele (2)