The Black Ferns haka during the Pacific Four match against USA in Hamilton on Saturday 11 May. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
The World Champion Black Ferns host Canada in their second test match of the Pacific Four Series in one of the most compelling games of the series.
A win for the visitors in Christchurch would move them above New Zealand in the rankings, while the Black Ferns could close the gap with No. 1 ranked England with a victory.
The third-ranked Canadian women come in on a high after dispatching the Wallaroos in Sydney last weekend, while also securing their spot in the WXV tournament later this year, which they will host in Vancouver.
Canada's forwards dominated Australia in their 33-14 win which moved them above France into third place in the World Rankings.
All five Canadian tries came from the front row as the Wallaroos failed to contain the visitors' deadly driving maul.
The Black Ferns were largely untested as they brushed aside the USA in a 57-5 demolition in their series opener in Hamilton.
New Zealand scored nine tries to one in a commanding win to open their series title defence.
Mererangi Paul scored a hat-trick in the first 16 minutes in an explosive performance to set New Zealand on the path to a comfortable win.
Paul, in her first start at full-back after five matches on the wing, made 16 carries, 131 run metres, four clean breaks, three offloads and clinched two try-saving tackles.
A trio of exciting new Black Fern rookies handled the pressure on debut.
Black Fern Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, during the Pacific Four women's rugby match against USA at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, on Saturday 11 May. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Starting second rower and former volleyball international Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu notched up her first international try as she powered over from close range.
First-five Hannah King debuted off the bench, slotting three conversions.
And Maia Joseph, who has put her medical studies on hold to chase a career in rugby, impressed as the depth of new talent was a boost for the side co-captained by Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon.
Black Ferns assistant coach Tony Christie said Canada have invested in their game as they move up the rankings.
Canada pushed powerhouse England to the limit in the semi-finals at the last women's Rugby World Cup and Christie believes they will be a threat on Sunday afternoon.
"The overall international standard has increased a lot, particularly this Pacific Four Series," Tony Christie said.
"I guess it's for us to show that we want to widen the gap again."
"Obviously their maul threat is a danger for us, but we're excited with what we've come up with to stop that."
The Black Ferns laid the platform against the USA but there were aspects to tidy up.
"We showed some good areas, but we were inconsistent throughout the game," Christie said.
Rugby - Pacific Four Series
Black Ferns v Canada
4.35pm Sunday
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
