Back in: Portia Woodman
Black Ferns coach Brian Evans has named the team that will look for a clean sweep against England in the third and final Test in Pukekohe.
Evans has made four changes to the starting XV that won Tuesday’s thriller Test in Hamilton.
Props Kathleen Wilton and Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox both get their first starts in the front row, and Charmaine McMenamin comes in at openside flanker, while Aroha Savage returns at six.
The electric backline that sparked the 81st minute match-winning try in Hamilton, has been retained with Renee Wickliffe and Portia Woodman on the wings and Selica Winiata at full-back with vice-captain Victoria Grant unavailable due to injury (hamstring). The formidable midfield combination of Amiria Rule and Claire Richardson has been retained for the third straight Test.
Papatoetoe High School student Onjeurlina Leiataua, 17, is set to make her Black Ferns debut from the bench.
“We’re delighted to have taken the Series, but there’s unfinished business and we want to make it a full set. There are still areas of our game we want to improve, in particular our ability to make an impact in the first half,” said Evans.
“There were some outstanding performances from both the starting side and off the bench on Tuesday, and we’ve recognised that with these selections.”
Counties Manukau loose forward and last year’s New Zealand Rugby Women’s Rugby player of the year Rawinia Everitt said they loved the loud crowd that got behind them at Waikato Stadium.
“We can’t get wait to get to Pukekohe and play in front of what we hope will be a great home crowd. It’s afternoon footy, so it will be a great day for people of South Auckland to come out and support us,” she said.
“Although the Series is in the bag, England have had the better of us too many times in recent years, and we need to make up the deficit. We’re looking forward to a fantastic day at ECOLight Stadium.”
Meanwhile, England Women’s head coach Gary Street has once again rung the changes for Saturday’s Test as the tourists look for a first victory on New Zealand soil in 12 years.
Street has made seven changes in total, one positional, for Saturday’s clash as Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter will once again lead England as she moves to number eight – handing talented youngster Alexandra Matthews her second start of the series at flanker.
Experienced prop Rochelle Clark also comes into the pack, while lock Tamara Taylor will start alongside Joanne McGilchrist to form a tried and tested second-row partnership.
In the backs, speedster Katherine Merchant returns on the wing, as does Amber Reed in the centre. La Toya Mason will start at scrum half.
“We are fielding our freshest group of players available. The players are in good spirits and have had a couple of days rehabbing and analysing the games. We are looking to finish this series on a high,” said Street.
England head into Saturday’s game on the back of two narrow defeats to the Black Ferns, including a 14-9 loss on Tuesday which only saw New Zealand clinch the win in injury time.
“Winning is important but actually performance is key too,” added Street.
“A win is nice but we are building towards a World Cup. The key thing for me is to get that right. If they do, the result will take care of itself. Certainly learning from the last two games is paramount.
“We have got to play for the full 80 minutes to win and not just play well for periods of the game. New Zealand are a quality side and when we have taken our foot off the pedal in the last two Tests they have made us pay.
“For me, it is about maintaining that level of performance in this final game and that the players give everything they’ve got to get the win.”
The teams:
New Zealand: 15 Selica Winiata, 14 Portia Woodman, 13 Claire Richardson, 12 Amiria Rule, 11 Renee Wickliffe, 10 Kelly Brazier, 9 Emma Jensen, 8 Casey Robertson, 7 Charmaine McMenamin, 6 Aroha Savage, 5 Vita Dryden, 4 Rawinia Everitt, 3 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox, 2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili (capt), 1 Kathleen Wilton.
Replacements: 16 Karina Stowers, 17 Ruth McKay, 18 Melodie Bosman, 19 Eloise Blackwell, 20 Justine Lavea, 21 Kendra Cocksedge, 22 Chelsea Alley, 23 Onjeurlina Leiataua.
England: 15 Kay Wilson, 14 Katherine Merchant, 13 Amber Reed, 12 Rachael Burford, 11 Michaela Staniford, 10 Katy Mclean, 9 La Toya Mason, 8 Sarah Hunter (capt), 7 Marlie Packer, 6 Alexandra Matthews, 5 Tamara Taylor, 4 Joanne McGilchrist, 3 Sophie Hemming, 2 Victoria Fleetwood, 1 Rochelle Clark.
Replacements: 16 Emma Croker, 17 Laura Keates, 18 Kate Newton, 19 Emily Braund, 20 Harriet Millar-Mills, 21 Ceri Large, 22 Francesca Matthews, 23 Sally Tuson.
Date: Saturday, July 20
Kick-off: 14:35 local (03:35 BST, 02:35 GMT)
Venue: ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Article source: http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ex-dees-star-skelcey-named-in-england-u18s-squad-1-5299917
Preview: New Zealand v England
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