Black Ferns named for second Test vs England

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Black Ferns Coach Grant Hansen has named his team to face the second of three Tests England tomorrow morning (Wednesday NZT) at Esher RFC.

Hansen has made several changes to his starting line-up after the Black Ferns suffered a disappointing 10-0 loss in the first Test at Twickenham. The defeat came at a high price with veteran hooker Fiao’o Faamausili suffering a devastating knee injury which has ended her tour, and captain Victoria Grant out with an ankle injury.

Casey Robertson steps into the captaincy and No 8 jersey for tomorrow’s Test. Halfback Emma Jensen notches up 30th Test caps while four new faces are set to make their debuts – Kelani Matapo, Lydia Crossman, Katarina Whata, and Muteremoana Aiatu.

“Whilst being disappointed with the first Test we have worked on several areas of our game and we are looking forward to a better, more dominant performance at Esher.

“We have made several changes, some forced through injury, but we want to see the whole squad get game time to enable us to develop depth in all positions.

“It has been a very short turn around between the first and second Tests so a lot of our preparation has been off the field. The key to success will be winning the collision, dominating the breakdown and securing lightning quick ball for our backs to use. We need to start the game strongly, dominate field position and take all the chances we are given,” Hansen said.

Fiao’o has ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in her knee and damaged her posterolateral complex. She will require a surgical opinion when she returns home to assess the need for surgery. In the meantime she will stay in camp with the team to receive treatment while she awaits medical clearance to fly home with the rest of the team.

“It’s also been disappointing for Victoria who has suffered a lateral ankle sprain. The plan is for her to have intensive treatment in the hope she’ll be fit for Saturday’s third Test,” Hansen said.

Former Black Fern Stephanie Te Ohaere Fox – currently resident in the United Kingdom - has been called into the squad to cover the specialist hooker spot behind Karina Penetito, who starts in the number 2 jersey.

The Black Ferns team to play England at Esher RFC on Wednesday (NZT) is:

(Test caps noted in brackets)

1 Kathleen Wilton (3)
2 Karina Penetito (10)
3 Mel Bosman (13)
4 Vita Robinson (9)
5 Kelani Matapo (0)
6 Lydia Crossman (0)
7 Justine Lavea (15)
8 Casey Robertson (C) (22)
9 Kendra Cocksedge (9)
10 Rebecca Mahoney (14)
11 Renee Wickliffe (5)
12 Amiria Rule (21)
13 Shakira Baker (1)
14 Katarina Whata (0)
15 Kelly Brazier (8)
16 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (9)
17 Muteremoana Aiatu (0)
18 Eloise Blackwell (1)
19 Aroha Savage (3)
20 Emma Jensen (29)
21 Teresa Te Tamaki (3)
22 Hazel Tubic (1)