Black Ferns Announce Team to Face Australia in O’Reilly Cup
In a highly anticipated clash, the Black Ferns have named their squad to take on Australia in the upcoming O’Reilly Cup match this weekend. After a disappointing loss to Canada, the New Zealand side is determined to bounce back and reclaim their dominance.
World Cup hero Renee Holmes returns to the starting lineup, taking up the fullback position. The influential lock Alana Bremner also makes a comeback to the starting XV. To accommodate Holmes’ return, Mererangi Paul shifts to the right wing, while Katelyn Vahaakolo remains on the left wing after her impressive two-try performance last week.
The halves combination sees a change, with Hurricanes Poua duo Iritana Hohaia and Hannah King earning starting roles, replacing co-captain Ruahei Demant and halfback Maia Joseph, who will now come off the bench.
In the forward pack, Kaipo Olsen-Baker earns a start at No. 8, while Liana Mikaele-Tu’u moves to the blindside flank, and co-captain Kennedy Simon lines up at openside. Prop Amy Rule secures her first start of the season, joining Georgia Ponsonby and Chryss Viliko in the front row.
“We have taken some critical learnings from our game against Canada. This is now our opportunity to move on and take this next challenge against Australia,” said coach Allan Bunting. “There is a great rivalry between our two nations, and we know Australia are coming off some pain as well and know how well they played at the end of last year.”
The Black Ferns will be looking to bounce back and assert their dominance in this highly anticipated clash against their trans-Tasman rivals, the Wallaroos, as they seek to reclaim the O’Reilly Cup.
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