The WXV1 rolls on for the second weekend of action, with Wales and New Zealand both looking for their first wins of the competition. Despite putting out a strong attacking performance, Wales’ defence fell apart against Canada, with the North Americans recording a 42-22 win.
New Zealand then lost their first match since November 2021, as France stunned the tournament hosts with a narrow 18-17 triumph. The Black Ferns were last defeated in the 29-7 loss to Les Bleus, with Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz’ side putting an end to their 16 match winning streak. This defeat was also the Black Ferns’ first home soil loss, since their 29-21 defeat to England back in 2017.
Historically, the odds have been weighed up in New Zealand’s favour for this match, as the Black Ferns have won all six of their competitive test matches against Wales. This match will be the first time the two sides have met outside of the Rugby World Cup, and have recent experience playing against one another from last year’s tournament. Wales and New Zealand met in the pool stages (56-12) and quarter-finals (55-3) of the competition, with New Zealand getting the one-sided win on each occasion.
NEW ZEALAND WOMEN’S TEAM TO PLAY WALES
There has been four changes made to the Black Ferns side, following their opening round defeat to France. Three changes are made in the forwards, with just one alteration coming in the back-line. Loose-head prop Kate Henwood, second-row Chelsea Bremner and back row Layla Sae are awarded their first starts in the WXV. Explosive break-out winger Mererangi Paul also earns her maiden test start in the competition, on her 25th birthday no less.
15. Renee Holmes 14. Ruby Tui 13. Amy du Plessis 12. Sylvia Brunt 11. Mererangi Paul 10. Ruahei Demant 9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu 1. Kate Henwood 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Amy Rule 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5. Chelsea Bremner 6. Layla Sae 7. Kennedy Simon 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
16. Luka Connor 17. Krystal Murray 18. Tanya Kalounivale 19. Alana Bremner 20. Lucy Jenkins 21. Iritana Hohaia 22. Patricia Maliepo 23. Martha Mataele
WALES WOMEN’S TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND
There are seven changes to this Wales side, with Ioan Cunningham re-freshing
his team following the defeat to Canada. Just one month after making her
Wales debut, 18-year-old Nel Metcalfe gets set for her first test start, as she
lines up against the Black Ferns at fullback. Gloucester-Hartpury’s Premiership-winning
hooker Kelsey Jones returns at hooker, with Donna Rose starting at prop for the
first time since facing New Zealand in the 2021 Rugby World Cup.
Sioned Harries is back in the number eight jersey for her 77th test cap, with Alisha Butchers handed the vice-captaincy under centre Hannah Jones. There is a new look 10-12 axis, with Llecu George and Hannah Buck set to punch holes through the Black Ferns midfield. The RAF’s flying winger Carys Williams-Morris partners up with double-Olympian Jasmine Joyce for a new-look back three.
15. Nel Metcalfe 14. Jasmine Joyce 13. Hannah Jones (Captain) 12. Hannah Buck 11. Carys Williams-Morris 10. Lleucu George 9. Keira Bevan 1. Gwenllian Pyrs 2. Kelsey Jones 3. Donna Rose 4. Abbie Fleming 5. Kate Williams 6. Alisha Butchers 7. Alex Callender 8. Sioned Harries
16. Kat Evans 17. Abby Constable 18. Sisilia Tuipulotu 19. Bryonie King 20. Bethan Lewis 21. Meg Davies 22. Robyn Wilkins 23. Meg Webb
Be sure to set an early alarm for this match, as kick off is at 04:00am UK Time this Saturday October 8th. All of England and Wales’ action from WXV1 will be live-streamed on ITVX.