Changes to Black Ferns for Twickenham test

The Black Ferns have made changes to the team that will take on England at Twickenham early tomorrow morning (NZ time).

Canterbury’s Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox has replaced Otago’s Beth Mallard who has moved onto the bench. Auckland’s Renee Wickcliffe has also moved to the bench with vice-captain Amiria Rule moving into the second-five eighth position and Otago’s Kelly Brazier coming off the bench into fullback.

Coach Brian Evans said playing two matches in quick succession had taken its toll on some of the players’ bodies and they were not named in the initial starting line-up to allow them time to recover. Evans said he was confident he has a strong team to take on England.

The Black Ferns Test immediately follows the All Blacks v England Test, and will be broadcast live on SKY Sports 1. Coverage starts at 5.30am with kick-off at 5.45am.

BLACK FERNS: 1 Ruth McKay 2 Fiao’o Faamausili 3 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox 4 Vita Robinson 5 Victoria Heighway (captain) 6 Casey Robertson 7 Justine Lavea 8 Linda Itunu 9 Emma Jensen 10 Rebecca Mahoney 11 Carla Hohepa 12 Amiria Rule (vice-captain) 13 Huriana Manuel 14 Victoria Grant 15. Reserves: Kelly Brazier 16 Claire Rowat 17 Kimberly Smith 18 Beth Mallard 19 Olivia Coady 20 Kendra Cocksedge 21 Renee Wickliffe 22 Anika Tiplady

- © Fairfax NZ News