All change for the Black Ferns

While almost half of the 26-strong squad have yet to pull on the black jersey, new head coach Greg Smith can also rely on some real experience in the form of skipperFiao'o Fa'amausili, number 8 Linda Itunu and scrum-half Emma Jenson, for the tournament which also features Canada, England and USA.

But it is all change in the main for a New Zealand side who will still be smarting from their surprisingfifth-place at last year's World Cup in France. Since then a number of players have retired while others have joined the New Zealand Sevens set-up to much success.

Sevens facesHoney Hireme and Selica Winiata are included in the squad for Canada while netballers Charmaine Smith and Keri Hayden have been included with Smith saying their fitness, skills and athleticism earned them a spot in the touring party.

“This competitive series represents the start of our build up to the 2017 Rugby World Cup, and not surprisingly a number of senior players retired after last year’s tournament while a number of others are out of contention due to injury," he said."Luckily, there are a lot of exciting young players who are working very hard to earn an international spot. We have two top netballers in the squad – Charmaine Smith and Keri Hayden - who see an opportunity to represent their country. They have made the squad because of their fitness, skills and athleticism.“Over the past six months we’ve seen 110 women from all over New Zealand at our regional programmes and it's clear from the enthusiasm of players, that it’s a very exciting time for women’s rugby. There is a real sense of momentum out there.”

The Black Ferns face Canada in Calgary on June 27, play world champions England four days later at Red Deer before facing United States in Edmonton on July 5.

Black Ferns:(Forwards) Toka Natua, Fiao'o Fa'amausili (capt), Aleisha Nelson, Eloise Blackwell, Charmaine Smith, Charlene Halapua, Justine Lavea, Linda Itunu, Aldora Itunu, Sita Kuruyabaki, Teresa Te Tamaki, Rebekah Tufuga, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Angie Sisifa. (Backs) Kendra Cocksedge, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Chelsea Alley, Stacey Waaka, Keri Hayden, Honey Hireme, Selica Winiata, Renee Wickliffe, Kiritapu Demant, Emma Jensen, Arihana Marino, Janna Vaughan

Women’s Rugby Super Series Schedule:June 27 – Calgary, AB (Calgary Rugby Park)Game 1:      USA vs. England. Kick Off: 4:00pm (local time)Game 2:      Canada vs. New Zealand. Kick Off: 6:30pm (local time)July 1 – Red Deer, AB (Red Deer Rugby Club)Game 1:      New Zealand vs. England. Kick Off: 4:00pm (local time)Game 2:      Canada vs. USA. Kick Off: 6:30pm (local time)July 5 – Edmonton, AB (Ellerslie Rugby Park)Game 1:      New Zealand vs. USA. Kick Off: 4:00pm (local time)Game 2:      Canada vs. England. Kick Off: 6:30pm (local time)