Black Ferns name two debutants for Scotland clash
Braxton Sorensen-McGee will start at fullback for Black Ferns
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The Black Ferns have named their match-day 23 to face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, with prop Ngano Tavake and fullback Maia Davis in line to make their Test debuts from the bench.
Ngano Tavake and Maia Davis set for potential debuts
Head coach Whitney Hansen has made several changes for the second Northern Hemisphere Test of New Zealand’s WXV Global Series campaign.
Tavake and Davis are the two uncapped players included among the replacements, giving both an opportunity to make their first Black Ferns appearances at Hive Stadium.
Captain Georgia Ponsonby starts at hooker between props Maddison Robinson and Mo’omo’oga Palu, while Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu and Laura Bayfield form the second-row partnership.
Black Ferns make changes to starting XV
Layla Sae and Elinor-Plum King start in the loose forwards, with Mia Anderson named at No.8.
In the backline, Tara Turner starts at halfback alongside fly-half Hannah King. Alena Saili and Amy Du Plessis form the midfield combination, while Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a and Justine McGregor have been selected on the wings.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee will start at fullback.
Tavake and Davis named on Black Ferns bench
Vici-Rose Green, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amarante Sititi, Maia Joseph and Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt join Tavake and Davis among the replacements.
Hansen said the Scotland Test offered an opportunity to continue building continuity and connections while giving new talent experience of Test rugby.
The match will be played at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday, September 19.
Black Ferns XV: 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Justine McGregor, 13 Amy Du Plessis, 12 Alena Saili, 11 Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a, 10 Hannah King, 9 Tara Turner, 8 Mia Anderson, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 6 Layla Sae, 5 Laura Bayfield, 4 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu,3 Mo’omo’oga Palu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby (captain), 1 Maddison Robinson
Reserves: 16 Vici-Rose Green, 17 Ngano Tavake, 18 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 19 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 20 Amarante Sititi, 21 Maia Joseph, 22 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 23 Maia Davis
