New Zealand women's rugby coach Glenn Moore has named a 28-strong squad to take on Australia in a two-Test series later this month, as they build up to the World Cup next year.
Glenn Moore Photo: Photosport
Olympic Games silver medallists Kelly Brazier, Sarah Goss and Portia Woodman are included alongside fellow Black Ferns Sevens players Honey Hireme, Hazel Tubic, Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata and Carla Hohepa (returning from injury).
The first match against Australia is a double header with the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on October 22.
The second is at QBE Stadium on the North Shore on October 26.
The Black Ferns squad also includes debutantes Aotearoa Matua, a 19-year-old prop from Counties Manukau; Manawatu halfback Kristina Sue; and Sharnita Woodman, a loose forward from Counties Manukau.
Justine Lavea, Linda Itunu, Lesley Ketu and Stacey Waaka were unavailable due to injury.
Moore said he and his coaching team were confident they had selected a skilled squad which was strong across the board.
"We have a great forward pack and very talented backs. We don't know much about the Wallaroos but the Laurie O'Reilly Cup is on the line and like all Australian teams they will be determined to perform strongly against New Zealand."
Backs
Chelsea Alley Midfield back North Harbour
Kelly Brazier First five eighth Otago
Kendra Cocksedge Halfback Canterbury
Honey Hireme Outside back Waikato
Carla Hohepa Outside back Waikato
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali First five eighth Counties Manukau
Kristina Sue Halfback Manawatu
Hazel Tubic Fullback Counties Manukau
Janna Vaughan Outside back Manawatu
Renee Wickliffe Midfield back Counties Manukau
Selica Winiata Outside back Manawatu
Portia Woodman Outside back Counties Manukau
Forwards
Eloise Blackwell Lock Auckland
Rawinia Everitt Loose forward Counties Manukau
Fiao'o Fa'amausili Hooker Auckland
Sarah Goss Loose Forward Manawatu
Charlene Gubb Lock Auckland
Aldora Itunu Prop Auckland
Pip Love Prop Canterbury
Aotearoa Matau Prop Counties Manukau
Charmaine McMenamin Loose forward Auckland
Toka Natua Prop Waikato
Aleisha Nelson Prop Auckland
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate Hooker Counties Manukau
Aroha Savage Loose forward Counties Manukau
Angie Sisifa Loose forward Otago
Charmaine Smith Lock North Harbour
Sharnita Woodman Loose forward Counties Manukau
