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Powerful prop returns as Black Ferns name team for Canada clash
Powerful prop Aldora Itunu is set to represent New Zealand at Test level for the first time since 2021 on Sunday when the Black Ferns take on Canada in a decisive Pacific Four Series clash.
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Following on from their dominant win over the United States last weekend, the Black Ferns have only made one change to their starting side after an injury to front-rower Kate Henwood.
Loosehead prop Chryss Viliko is set to start for the Black Ferns for the first time when the Kiwis take the field a Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium, while Itunu will come off the bench.
Itunu, who started for eventual champions the Blues in the Super Rugby Aupiki decider in April, will earn her 25th cap with the Black Ferns if she’s called on to provide impact off the pine.
“Aldora’s perseverance, determination and physical presence has been evident since returning to or environment,” Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said in a statement.
“She is a special human and has a lot to give this jersey both on and off the field.
“We know the impact she will make and look forward to her taking the field once again in the Black Ferns jersey.”
With Itunu being named as a replacement, the starting front row consists of Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby and Tanya Kalounivale. Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu round out the rest of the tight five as the two locks.
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Layla See will take her place on the blindside flanker, while New Zealand’s co-captain Kennedy Simon will line up on the other side of the scrum. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u is the other backrower.
One-Test Black Fern Maia Joseph joins co-captain Ruahei Demant in the halves, while Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis will combine as an always-dangerous midfield duo.
Katelyn Vahaakolo joins Ruby Tui and Mererangi Paul as the three outside backs to take on eh Canadians.
“Our ladies delivered some special moments like weekend against USA,” Bunting added. “We were able to see quite a bit of growth in what we have been working through. We want to continue to build on this again this weekend.
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“Canada presents a quality challenge we need on our journey into (the) World Cup. As a coaching group we want to continue to se growth in certain areas of our game.”
The Black Ferns’ blockbuster clash with Canada in Christchurch is set to get underway at 4:35 pm NZT on Sunday.
Black Ferns to take on Canada
- Chryss Viliko
- Georgia Ponsonby
- Tanya Kalounivale
- Maiakawanakaulani Roos
- Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu
- Layla Sae
- Kennedy Simon (cc)
- Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
- Maia Joseph
- Ruahei Demant (cc)
- Katelyn Vahaakolo
- Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’I (Sylvia) Brunt
- Amy du Plessis
- Ruby Tui
- Mereerangi Paul
Replacements
- Luke Connor
- Amy Rule
- Aldora Itunu
- Charmaine Smith
- Kaipo Olsen-Baker
- Iritana Hohaia
- Hannah King
- Patricia Maliepo
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Comments on RugbyPass
> And to be frank, those are the only four teams that deserve to be in the playoffs. They are the only teams that hold winning records in Super Rugby Pacific 2024. So you agree with the final 8 format then Ben? As of course its purpose is to generate activity towards the end of the season, and as you say, there wouldn’t be any if it was just a final 4 playoff format.
13 Go to commentsThe reason the Rebels are in the position they are, is because Foote is a very poor coach. The Rebels over the last few years have played a nauseatingly boring one dimensional mistake ridden game, occassionaly sprinkled with some brilliance via Carter Gordon and Tim Sampson. You can’t bore supporters in to supporting you. Even if you win some. There is no point to the Rebels if Foote is coaching them. They need someone with some Aussie inspiration and imagination.
2 Go to comments“Against this backdrop of turmoil, the team on the field is playing some excellent rugby.” Are they really? They will probably finish seventh, in the bottom half of the draw. Of their twelve games to date they have lost FIVE by more than 25 points. Think about that for a second: they have been on the wrong end of one-sided thrashings in almost half their games this year. Away in Canberra this weekend it might well become six. They have done all this with a squad it is clear they could not afford. And yet here we are talking about this season being shining proof of their quality if only they are given another chance. It just ain’t so. They’ve played some okay rugby and aren’t terrible, but best case will need to shed some of their better players and probably get worse again next year to have any chance of remaining viable. If they stay the data suggests they’ll be back where they’ve been for years - trying to scrap away for eighth place in a comp that should probably only have a Top 4 or 6 playoff to begin with.
2 Go to commentsSomething fishy is going on here. Earlier this year Dame Patsy Reddy was threatening to step down if the review recommendations didn’t go through now it’s the professional players association going nuclear. It looks like a theft attempt by the executive and the association. Is there a big backer in the shadows? The clubs and by extension the unions own the game in NZ yet they are being told to shut up and have no say in the running of the game they have created and own. Ok let them go and do what they want but they can’t call themselves the ABs or the super or npc sides. At the end of everything this is a sport not a path to enrichment.
2 Go to commentsI would say NB that the 7 who has the skills to play as an extra half is Billy Harmon of the Highlanders. He does everything expected of an openside with ruck, tackle and run but he has a good pass. Robertson might of opted for Christie at the Crusaders moving Harmon on but that allowed him to break out of the Crusaders system and show his full range of skills.
55 Go to commentsHe is right. How do you pick the two? Ospreys and Cardiff?
2 Go to commentsSam like many had passed their use by dates and that is down to the selectors, not the player. I wasn't a Sam fan, but he didn’t deserve Bidwells brutally honest opinion. Could have been more diplomatic.
3 Go to commentsNice piece nick, mcreight is immense. Just like hooper, he seems to be indefatigable and sprint the full 80 from one involvement to the next. Like DuPont, its like they can see an extra phase ahead which means they know where to be before everyone else. His support and link play for mine is his real point of difference, and now he is lifting the other areas up as well. One key improvement is when to jackal or not, he used to go for everything and get pinged or stuck in the ruck. His decision making in this area has really improved. He seems to be quite competitive, and like faz not afraid to chew out a teammate. If he went down, both the reds and wallabies would be in trouble. I’d lean towards Wright or Wilkin/Gamble I think, I don’t think many of the other candidates have the work rate or ruck presence that is needed of a 7. Interestingly, the reds lineout fell apart on the weekend without faessler, although the maul still functioned. The heat seemed to affect their decision making, I think they needed to adjust to a low possession, simple game plan but they went head strong with a high possession game even though they couldn’t hold onto it, secure their ruck or their set piece…
55 Go to commentsExpecting those provincial fish-heads to vote themselves out of power is like expecting turkeys to vote for Christmas. Good luck with that!
2 Go to commentsA brilliant winger..
1 Go to commentsGood player, but how could anyone have filled RMCs shoes.? Also, I hope Razor implements better & indeed more legal tackling, the AB’s concede way too many cards. Looking forward to the new regime though.
11 Go to commentsGood article, NB. I’ve quite liked the speed and skill levels of Tom Ahern from Munster. I read he was a fullback until late in schools rugby and suddenly shot up to 6 foot 9. Another guy born in 2000 who seems to be able to play out in trams on both sides of the ball is Juan Martin Gonzalez of Saracens. Thanks for the article.
55 Go to commentsShould not even be in the thought to bring Barrett back,the team is going well and remember 2 season ago when the blues were going well & got out thought & out played in the final all Barrett did was needlessly kick away posession again and again, pass to players in worse positions as to avoid contact and for the Blues and AB proved costly in crucial games.
3 Go to commentsBarbarians will be preparing for fiji starting end of this week but fiji will be preparing only 1 week b4 the game…..so unfair
1 Go to commentsI believe it was the Wallaby Nick White who opened the floodgates - earning his team a yellow card against SA and getting Faf binned for 10. Nick White. The original soft pr1ck, diving git. Owen Farrell is growing on me.
2 Go to commentsTo be honest this result was not that seismic as shock, Canada are a very good team and very few teams fear the Black Ferns anymore. The rankings give a good picture, the top four ranked teams are the top four teams in women’s rugby with England ahead the other three can exchange places at any given time. Despite the USA result I still think Australia are ahead of the rest. WXV will show how big the gap is between nations.
9 Go to commentsFarrell playing in France next season better get use to play acting .
3 Go to commentsNot sure I see the magic. Solid flanker but the aggression and lack of bending at the hips leads to boo boos
11 Go to comments100%. Thank you, Andy.
2 Go to commentsFabulous player. Don’t know if people outside of Ireland appreciate his vision and genius. I wish he got more time with the National team. We will never know how high he could have soared. Super season to end with!
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