The former Otago player has been named in the reserves for tomorrow’s match against the United States, in Whangarei.
Anderson, a 31-year-old occupational therapist, is one of two uncapped players named — the other being Bay of Plenty hooker Natalie Delamare.
Now playing for Canterbury, and Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki, Anderson will pack down at prop for the Black Ferns.
That has been a change for Anderson, who spent most of her career — and all of her time in Otago — as a midfield back.
It was there that she first trialled for the Black Ferns in 2013, as well as where she was called in as injury cover for the team’s 2018 tour of France.
She moved into No 8 three years ago, before taking the opportunity to learn front row play when Canterbury lost Amy Rule and Pip Love to last year’s Black Ferns northern tour.
It was a rapid and successful transition.
Anderson and Delamore are two of 11 players to have debuted during the Pacific Four Series.
"To have genuine competition for spots has got to be good," Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith said.
"We have 11 debutantes and they’ve all played really well when they’ve had their opportunity. For Nat and Lucy, it will rely on the rest of the team how good their debut is. They can’t go out and really shine unless the others go out and shine; I’m pretty sure they will."
Elsewhere, Counties Manukau pair Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Leilani Perese get their first test starts.
Marino-Tauhinu will don the No 9 jersey, having played her previous seven tests behind Kendra Cocksedge, who will play her 60th test off the bench. Perese is one of the most capped forwards in the current squad, but all her previous appearances have come from the bench.
After a solid debut performance last weekend, teenager Sylvia Brunt is promoted into the starting line-up in the No 12 jersey, while Chelsea Semple returns from illness on to the bench.
Smith said the preparation this week had been focused on continuing to grow the Black Ferns style of play.
"We need to focus on getting our stuff right. Everyone can see the sort of game we are trying to play and it’s starting to come together."
Off the back of a gutsy win against Australia last week, Smith expects another strong performance from the United States.
"Clearly USA will be a good challenge for us, and we will need to be spot on to meet that challenge. We need to make sure we are getting all the detail right and can’t let winning become the enemy."
Pacific Four Nations
Whangarei, today, 4pm
Black Ferns: Renee Holmes, Renee Wickliffe, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Brunt, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Ruahei Demant, Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kendra Reynolds, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Joanah Ngan Woo, Leilani Perese, Natalie Delamare, Phillipa Love. Reserves: Georgia Ponsonby, Krystal Murray, Lucy Anderson, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Tafito Lafaele, Kendra Cocksedge, Chelsea Semple, Hazel Tubic.
United States: Bulou Mataitoga, Tess Feury, Alev Kelter, Katana Howard, Charlotte Clapp, Megan Foster, Carly Waters, Kate Zackary, Rachel Johnson, Elizabeth Cairns, Kristine Sommer, Jordan Matyas, Nick James, Joanna Kitlinski, Hope Rogers. Reserves: Kathryn Treder, Maya Learned, Charli Jacoby, Evelyn Ashenbrucker, Georgie Perris-Redding, Bridget Kahele, Gabby Cantorna, Meya Bizer.
