Black Ferns squad for England series named

Included are 17-year-old Onjeurlina Leiataua, 18-year-old Mele Hufanga, Sevens star Portia Woodman, Chelsea Alley and Charmaine McMenamin.

Woodman is one of four Black Ferns currently on duty with the World Series champion New Zealand Women’s Sevens team heading to Moscow for the Rugby World Cup Sevens next week.  She is joined by fellow Sevens squad members, Kelly Brazier, Selica Winiata and Renee Wickliffe.

The squad sees Fiao’o Fa’amausili named captain for her second campaign, with veteran Black Fern Victoria Grant coming back from injury to regain her spot in the side, and the deputy duties.

“We’re really excited about the squad we have selected. We think we have got a good balance of new and young talent and some great experience,” Evans said.

“This is an excellent opportunity to introduce our newer players into the Black Ferns environment ahead of next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in France.

“Over the course of our selection process we were very impressed with the speed and form of the players in camp.  We think we have a great squad with some excellent form among the backs and we are delighted with our options at first five.

“The Black Ferns strength and conditioning programme has been focussed and very organised, and we are feeling very positive about where we are at for both this International Series and as we look ahead to next year’s World Cup.

“There is no doubt that England will be tough – we were disappointed to come home from our tour without a win in 2012.  We know will still have power up front, but we’re expecting them to be fast and strong.

“However, we are confident that the mix of talent and experienced heads as well as a having a home advantage will bring out the best in our players so we are really looking forward to hosting England next month,” Evans said.

The Black Ferns kick off the Series against England at Eden Park on 13 July – a match to be played ahead of the Round 20 Investec Super Rugby Blues v Chiefs derby match. Both teams then head to Waikato Stadium for the second Test on16 Julybefore closing out at Pukekohe’s ECOLight Stadium on20 July.

The 2013 Black Ferns squad (* denotes new cap) is:

FORWARDSFront Row:Melodie Bosman, WellingtonFiao’o Fa’amausili, captain, AucklandRuth McKay, ManawatuKarina Stowers AucklandStephanie Te Ohaere – Fox, CanterburyKathleen Wilton, Otago

Locks:Eloise Blackwell, AucklandVita Dryden, AucklandJackie Patea, Wellington

Loose Forwards:Rawinia Everitt, Counties ManukauJustine Lavea, AucklandCharmaine McMenamin, Auckland *Casey Robertson, CanterburyAroha Savage, Counties Manukau

BACKSHalfbacks:Kendra Cocksedge, CanterburyEmma Jensen, AucklandFirst five-eighths:Kelly Brazier, OtagoAmiria Rule, CanterburyMidfield:Chelsea Alley, Waikato *Mele Hufanga, Auckland *Onjeurlina Leiataua, Auckland *Claire Richardson, AucklandOutside Backs:Victoria Grant , vice-captain, WaikatoSelica Winiata , ManawatuPortia Woodman, Auckland *Renee Wickliffe, Counties Manukau

Black Ferns v England International Series 2013

Saturday 13 July: Eden Park, Auckland kickoff5:05pmTuesday 16 July:   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, kickoff7:00pmSaturday 20 July: ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, kickoff2:35pm