World Cup holders, the Black Ferns of New Zealand, and their first-round opponents, Canada, have named the 23 women that will suit up Friday in San Diego, CA for their first game of the Women’s Super Series. 

The two teams sit 1st and 3rd respectively in the World Rugby rankings, meaning this matchup has barnstormer written all over it. 

Watch LIVE  on FloRugby June 28

England vs USA KO 1PM PT

Canada vs New Zealand KO 4PM PT

Black Ferns

What’s a better way to make your test debut than to be named the starting No. 8 against the 3rd-ranked team in the world?  Such is the case for 20-year-old Kiwi Pia Tapsell, whose blinder of a season with her North Harbour club has earned her the callup into the coveted Black jersey. 

She won’t have to fret much over her nerves, as she will be slotting right into a forward pack that features outstanding class and experience with the likes of Eloise Blackwell, captain Les Elder, and the two Charmaines, Smith and McMenamin. Stalwart halfback Kendra Cocksedge will team up with the skilled Ruahei Demant as the 9 and 10, while Chelsea Alley will look to link up with a lethal back three, lead by playmaker Selica Winiata. 

Maple Leafs

The Canadians are fresh off of a two-game sweep of the United States in the CanAm series in May, and are hoping to ride that momentum into a successful Super Series expedition. Vastly experienced hooker Laura Russell will captain the Maple Leafs, and hopes the team can bring the same form into this tough competition that her side brought to the 2014 World Cup, when they finished 2nd overall. 

She’ll be joined in the front row by Olivia DeMerchant and DeLeaka Menin, who both bring with them World Cup experience as well. Courtney Holtkamp leads the way in the second row, and hard hitters Janna Slevinsky and Gabrielle Senft bring the power in the back row. Brianna Miller brings her sharp kicking game to the scrumhalf position, with all-around facilitator and ballcarrier Alex Tessier coming in at flyhalf. Anais Holly moves to outside center for this one, and the nifty Elissa Alarie slides in at the wing. 

Can Canada spring an upset?

It’s unlikely, but don’t count out the Maple Leafs. They have proven on many occasions they can elevate their game to beat the best of the best, and it’s not beyond them to get it done on Friday. They will certainly be up against it, and will have to be accurate in all phases of the game for 80 minutes against the Black Ferns. 

Laura Russell has a very good lineout throw, so if Canada can win some penalties and gain territory they can give themselves nice platforms to attack from. Defensively they will have to do all they can to keep the Kiwis from getting quick ball and exploiting space out wide. 

For New Zealand, it will be about maintaining their fast tempo of play and not giving Canada any cheap opportunities. As long as the Black Ferns don’t make too many mistakes, they should be able to put a lot of points on the board; they are simply just too strong throughout the 23 to be contained for two halves. 

There are sure to be massive collisions and sublime skills on offer in this one, so tune in if you can!

New Zealand

1. Toka Natua; 16 Caps

2. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate; 23 Caps

3. Aleisha-Pearl Nelson; 29 Caps

4. Eloise Blackwell; 37 Caps

5. Charmaine Smith; 21 Caps

6. Charmaine McMenamin; 19 Caps

7. (C)Les Elder; 13 Caps

8. Pia Tapsell; 0 Caps

9. Kendra Cocksedge; 47 Caps

10. Ruahei Demant; 5 Caps

11. Ayesha Leti-I'iga; 3 Caps

12. Chelsea Alley; 18 Caps

13. Carla Hohepa; 19 Caps

14. Renee Wickliffe; 35 Caps

15. (VC)Selica Winiata; 36 Caps

16. Luka Connor; 0 Caps

17. Philipa Love; 7 Caps

18. Leilani Peresi; 5 Caps

19. Karli Faneva; 0 Caps

20. Marcelle Parkes; 2 Caps

21. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu; 0 Caps

22. Krysten Cottrell; 5 Caps

23. Alena Saili; 2 Caps

Canada

1. Olivia DeMerchant

2. (C)Laura Russell

3. DeLeaka Menin

4. Courtney Holtkamp

5. Sohie de Goede

6. Fabiola Forteza

7. Janna Slevinsky

8. Gabrielle Senft

9. Brianna Miller

10. Alexandra Tessier

11. Elissa Alarie

12. Sara Kaljuvee

13. Anais Holly

14. Paige Farries

15. Irene Patrinos

16. Gillian Boag

17. Maude Laliberte

18. Veronica Harrigan

19. Jacey Grusnick

20. Marie-Pier Fauteux

21. Sara Svoboda

22. Lori Josephson

23. Alysha Corrigan