Bay of Plenty flanker Les Elder has been named as captain for a new look 2019 Black Ferns squad featuring 10 uncapped players.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Elder, a specialist number 7, made her debut in the black jersey in 2015 and was part of the 2017 World Cup winning squad.
Kendra Cocksedge and Selica Winiata have been named as co-vice captains.
Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore said Elder was a natural leader who had quickly made an impact on the culture of the squad since her debut in 2015.
"On the field Les is uncompromising, and her knowledge of the game is outstanding. Off the field she has the ability to bring players together and bring out the best in them. She is a clear communicator, setting high standards for herself for others to follow.
Moore has included seven new forwards and three backs. Three of the uncapped players have been named in previous squads but are yet to have their start in the black jersey.
The seven new caps are: Karli Faneva (Bay of Plenty), Luka Connor (Bay of Plenty), Forne Burkin (Canterbury), Kennedy Simon (Waikato), Harono Te Iringa (Counties Manukau), Grace Brooker (Canterbury) and Pia Tapsell (North Harbour).
Joanah Ngan-Woo (Wellington), Kilisitina Moata-ana (Otago) and Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (Counties Manukau) have all been named in the squad previously and haven't had their debut.
The Black Ferns play Canada, USA and France in the Super series in San Diego in June and July before meeting England and Australia in August.
The Black Ferns squad is (Test caps in brackets, new caps in bold).
FORWARDS
Eloise Blackwell (37) Auckland
Forne Burkin Canterbury
Luka Connor Bay of Plenty
Les Elder (Captain, 13) Bay of Plenty
Karli Faneva Bay of Plenty
Aldora Itunu (20) Auckland
Phillipa Love (7) Canterbury
Charmaine McMenamin (19) Auckland
Toka Natua (16) Waikato
Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (29) Auckland
Joanah Ngan-Woo Wellington
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (23) Counties Manukau
Marcelle Parkes (2) Wellington
Leilani Perese (5) Counties Manukau
Kennedy Simon Waikato
Charmaine Smith (21) Auckland
Pia Tapsell North Harbour
Harono Te Iringa Counties Manukau
Cristo Tofa Auckland
BACKS
Chelsea Alley (18) Waikato
Kelly Brazier (37) Bay of Plenty
Grace Brooker Canterbury
Kendra Cocksedge (Co-Vice Captain, 47) Canterbury
Krysten Cottrell (5) Hawke's Bay
Kiritapu Demant (2) Bay of Plenty
Ruahei Demant (5) Auckland
Theresa Fitzpatrick (9) Auckland
Carla Hohepa (19) Waikato
Ayesha Leti-Iiga (3) Wellington
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu Counties Manukau
Kilisitina Moata'ane Otago
Natahlia Moors (1) Auckland
Alena Saili (2) Southland
Renee Wickliffe (35) Bay of Plenty
Selica Winiata (Co-Vice Captain, 36) Manawatu
