New Zealand Black Ferns coach Brian Evans has named five uncapped players in his 26-strong squad for their three-match tour of England in November, a vital part of their build up to the defence of their Women's Rugby World Cup crown in 2010.
Kelly Brazier, Barbara Chittock, Amanda Murphy, Claire Rowat and Renee Wickliffe are all in line to make their international debuts on a tour which sees the Black Ferns face England - the side they have beaten in the last two World Cup finals - twice with an encounter against England A sandwiched in between.
The highlight of the tour for the Black Ferns, who will be bidding for a fourth successive World Cup title in England next August and September, will undoubtedly be the double header at Twickenham on 21 November when they take to the field after the All Blacks have faced England's men.
Evans and his assistant Grant Hansen may have selected five new players, but nearly half of the squad played at the last Women's Rugby World Cup in Canada in 2006 with eight involved in the final itself, which New Zealand won 25-17.
Of these eight players, Amiria Rule (nee Marsh) and Victoria Heighway both crossed for tries in the final with Emma Jensen kicking a penalty and conversion. Rule, who was the Black Ferns' leading try scorer in that World Cup with six, is one of a number of players returning to the national side after a break.
The squad also features six players who were part of the New Zealand squad beaten 15-10 in sudden death extra time by Australia in the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens final in Dubai earlier this year, among them Carla Hohepa, the tournament's leading try scorer with nine.
"The great thing about this Black Ferns squad to tour England is there's a solid foundation of experienced players as well as an injection of new talent into the mix," admitted Evans.
"These new players earned their jerseys through impressive provincial campaigns and that's a very encouraging sign as we set our sights on next year's World Cup."
New Zealand Black Ferns squad:
*Kelly Brazier (Otago), Olivia Coady (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), *Barbara Chittock (Canterbury), #Fiao'o Faamausili (Auckland), #~Victoria Grant (nee Blackledge) (Auckland), #Victoria Heighway (Auckland), ~Carla Hohepa (Otago), #~Linda Itunu (Auckland), #Emma Jensen (Auckland), ~Justine Lavea (Auckland), Ruth McKay (Manawatu), #Rebecca Mahony (nee Hull) (Wellington), #Beth Mallard (Otago), #~Huriana Manual (Auckland), *Amanda Murphy (Canterbury), Karina Penetito (Auckland), #Casey Robertson (Canterbury), Vita Robinson (Auckland), *Claire Rowat (Wellington), #Amiria Rule (nee Marsh) (Canterbury), #Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury), Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), Anika Tiplady (Canterbury), #Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), *~Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland).
* Denotes new cap
# Played at Women's Rugby World Cup 2006
~ Played at RWC Sevens 2009
Tour schedule:
14 Nov - England v New Zealand @ Esher RFC
17 Nov - England A v New Zealand @ Esher RFC
21 Nov - England v New Zealand @ Twickenham
