Sport

Changes to Black Ferns lineup for second test against France

08:19 am on 19 November 2021

There are a number of changes to the Black Ferns lineup for the second Test against France in Castres this weekend.

Kelly Brazier Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Veteran Kelly Brazier moves into first five and will combine with Chelsea Alley and Carla Hohepa in the midfield.

Lock Eloise Blackwell returns to the starting lineup while number eight Kennedy Simon gets her first start.

The Black Ferms were beaten 38-13 by France in the first Test... the New Zealanders third straight loss on tour following heavy defeats to England.

Simon has been rewarded for dominant form off the bench with her first start in the Black Ferns jersey, replacing Dhys Faleafaga who suffered a head knock last weekend.

Bay of Plenty loose forward Kendra Reynolds comes onto the bench and is in line for her first international cap.

Halfback Kendra Cocksedge runs out for her 57th Black Ferns Test, equaling the record held by Fiao'o Faamausili as most capped player in the team's history.

"Kennedy has been incredibly dynamic off the bench and comes in off a really great Farah Palmer Cup. She is fantastic - a good ball player, she has pace and is physically very strong, last weekend she made some great hits so she deserves this start," said coach Glenn Moore.

Bay of Plenty's Kendra Reynolds played for the Black Ferns in their domestic series against the Barbarians in 2020, but Saturday is set to be her international debut.

"Kendra has impressed us every time she has been in a camp - we are really pleased with the progress she has shown. She's a class act and will bring something a bit different when she gets on, said Moore.

Kennedy Simon in action against England Photo: PHOTOSPORT

With experienced players such as Chelsea Alley, Carla Hohepa and Renee Wickliffe in the fold, Moore said the coaching group is interested in seeing how the different combinations come together.

"A number of these players have played significant amount of rugby at this level and they're fresh - they've played well off the bench so we're looking forward to their opportunity to start and to test some combinations.

"We think our physicality has been improving week on week, we have a couple of players that have been desperate to have a crack and they get that this weekend.

"If we look at last weekend, we know we need to be more accurate with our kicking game and have a good kick-chase. On top of that we need to improve our skill execution - we lost the ball at critical moments last weekend and you can't afford to do that at this level," said Moore.

The Black Ferns team.

1. Philipa Love (14)

2. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (31)

3. Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (38)

4. Eloise Blackwell (45)

5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (2)

6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (3)

7. Les Elder - captain (21)

8. Kennedy Simon (7)

9. Kendra Cocksedge (56)

10. Kelly Brazier (41)

11. Portia Woodman (18)

12. Chelsea Alley (25)

13. Carla Hohepa (27)

14. Stacey Fluhler (19)

15. Cheyelle Robins-Reti (2)

16. Georgia Ponsonby (1)

17. Aldora Itunu (23)

18. Amy Rule (2)

19. Alana Bremner (2)

20. Kendra Reynolds - debut

21. Ariana Bayler (3)

22. Ruahei Demant (14)

23. Renee Wickliffe (42)