Coach Glenn Moore has gone with experience in his Black Ferns squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili Photo: Photosport
The 28-strong squad will travel to Ireland on 1 August in their bid to win the four-yearly tournament in Dublin and Belfast.
Captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili is the most experienced player in the squad with 47 caps to her name.
The squad also features experienced Canterbury halfback Kendra Coxedge and explosive Counties Manukau backs Portia Woodman and Selica Winiata.
Moore said June's International Women's Rugby Series against Canada, England and Australia had provided the squad with much-needed international competition in preparation for the World Cup.
"We won two Tests and lost one. We were disappointed to lose to England, but now we know what we need to work on and where our strengths lie.
"Everyone who's been selected today deserves their spot. We have the right combination of players, many with lots of experience to draw on. We know how tough the task ahead is and we are excited for the challenge.
"We take nothing for granted and the players have been training hard all year, and have continued to play club rugby since the June series finished to maintain match fitness," Moore said.
The Black Ferns kick off their world cup campaign on 10th August against Wales.
The team is (with province and Test caps):
FORWARDS
Aldora Itunu Auckland 11
Toka Natua Waikato 11
Aleisha Nelson Auckland 23
Sosoli Talawadua Waikato 3
Fiao'o Fa'amausili - captain Auckland 47
Becky Wood North Harbour 2
Charmaine Smith North Harbour 11
Eloise Blackwell Auckland 27
Charmaine McMenamin Auckland 9
Les Ketu Bay of Plenty 5
Linda Itunu Auckland 33
Rawinia Everitt Counties Manukau 22
Sarah Goss Manawatu 5
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate Counties Manukau 15
Aroha Savage Counties Manukau 23
Aotearoa (Katie) Mata'u Counties Manukau 5
BACKS
Stacey Waaka Waikato 6
Kelly Brazier Otago 32
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali Counties Manukau 14
Kendra Cocksedge Canterbury 37
Kristina Sue Manawatu 7
Hazel Tubic Auckland 10
Renee Wickliffe Counties Manukau 26
Portia Woodman Counties Manukau 11
Selica Winiata Manawatu 27
Carla Hohepa Waikato 14
Theresa Fitzpatrick Auckland 2
Chelsea Alley North Harbour 14
- RNZ
