Sport

Black Ferns set for more home games

06:40 am on 12 March 2020

In an unprecedented move, the Black Ferns will play the bulk of their Test matches at home this year.

Black Ferns back Ruahei Demant Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz

The New Zealand women's rugby team will play eight Test matches in 2020 and seven will be on home soil.

On 18 July, the Black Ferns will play the USA in Dunedin and the following month the O'Reilly Cup (formerly the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy) Tests will see the Black Ferns play Australia in Melbourne on 8 August and in Wellington on 15 August.

These three Tests are double-headers with All Blacks matches.

Details of the further five Black Ferns Test matches including venues, locations and kick-off times are still to be confirmed.

New Zealand Rugby's Head of Women's Rugby, Cate Sexton said the eight-match Test schedule was unprecedented for Black Ferns fans in New Zealand, and gave them a taste of what to expect in 2021.

"This is an extra special year for local fans because in the past most Black Ferns Test matches have been played overseas."

Sexton said the other five still to be confirmed Test matches would be standalone matches at venues around the country.

Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore said 2020 is a "crunch year" as he builds squad depth ahead of the World Cup.

"We need constant high-level competition to ensure the team is in top form for next year," Moore said.

"Every year the standard of rugby, not just here, but around the world, is growing and we need to be ahead of the game.

"In the past couple of years we've widened our player pool, introduced new athletes to the Black Ferns environment, and given them Test match exposure. In 2021 we will be able to draw on a stronger, experienced and match-fit group of players."

The 31-strong contracted squad includes five new athletes who stood out during the 2019 Farah Palmer Cup; Saphire Abraham and Patricia Maliepo (Auckland), Langi Veainu (Counties Manukau), Kelsie Wills (Bay of Plenty) and Chelsea Bremner (Canterbury).