New Zealand v Australia Preview

Having narrowly defeated an Auckland side shorn of six current Black Ferns earlier this week, Australia will start as underdogs against a New Zealand side which has named sevens stars Portia Woodman and Sarah Goss in their standing lineup.

The duo are pivotal figures for the country’s sevens team and their inclusion at this stage of the season speaks volumes for the emphasis the Black Ferns are putting on next summer's World Cup. They are not the only well known sevens faces in the squad with the likes of Honey Hireme and Selica Winiata also involved. Up front the influence of Fiao’o Fa’amausili, the captain, will be vital while Rawinia Everitt's all-court game will be well worth a follow on the flank.

The other potential debutants in the clash, with Aotearoa Mata’u and Kristina Sue named on the bench.

Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore said they would be wary of a Wallaroos outfit with a host of new faces.

"The team we’ve selected brings a mix of experience, youth and debutants. The team’s come into camp determined to work hard and although they had only a short time to prepare they have quickly gelled as a unit," he said.

“Trans-Tasman Test matches always bring an extra edge of competition and intensity. The Wallaroos are a bit of an unknown to us at this stage. What we do know is they will be just as determined as we are to get the win.”

“We’re excited to play at Eden Park in front of family, friends and fans. It’s going to be a great night.”

The Wallaroos team has six debutants in the 15 with another six named on the reserve bench for the trans-Tasman clash, suggesting that they may take a little time to gel over the next couple of games as they begin the process of finding their feet in the test game again.

Saturday’s match is the first time the Wallaroos, Black Ferns, Wallabies and All Blacks have played in a double header together.

“Taking on the Black Ferns at Eden Park is going to be a great challenge but the team is really excited by the opportunity to play New Zealand and we can’t wait to get out onto the field,”

said Wallaroos coach Paul Verrell.

Australia:

1.Louise Burrows, 2.Ivy Kaleta*, 3.Hana Ngaha*, 4.Alisha Hewett, 5.Chloe Butler, 6.Mollie Gray, 7.Vesinia Schaaf-Tatufa*,8.Liz Patu, 9.Iliseva Batibasaga, 10.Ashleigh Hewson (c), 11.Shontelle Stowers*, 12.Hanna Sio, 13.Nareta Marsters*, 14.Cobie-Jane Morgan, 15.Sarah Riordan*,

Reserves16.Alanna Patison*, 17.Emily Robinson*, 18.Danielle Meskell, 19.Grace Hamilton*, 20.Kirby Sefo*, 21.Ariana Kaiwai*, 22.Katrina Barker*, 23.Cheyenne Campbell*Debutants

New Zealand

1. Pip Love 2. Fiao’o Fa’amausili (c)  3. Aleisha Nelson 4. Eloise Blackwell 5. Charmaine Smith 6. Rawinia Everitt 7. Sarah Goss 8. Aroha Savage 9. Kendra Cocksedge 10. Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali 11. Renee Wickliffe 12. Chelsea Alley 13. Portia Woodman 14. Honey Hireme 15. Selica Winiata

Reserves16. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate 17. Toka Natua (Aldora Itunu) 18. Aotearoa Mata’u* 19. Charlene Gubb 20. Charmaine McMenamin 21. Kristina Sue* 22. Kelly Brazier 23. Janna Vaughan

*Debutants