France flanker Axelle Berthoumieu admitted biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal but has appealed her 12-match suspension.
Defending champion Black Ferns are facing a midfield injury crisis five days out from their World Cup semi-final against Canada, with an unnamed player flying to England as cover.
Otago halfback Maia Joseph hopes she can inject a point of difference into the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup campaign after shaking off injury ahead of the knockout stage.
The four teams in the bottom half of the top eight have declared they can make a run for the title, in what shapes as an unpredictable NRL finals series. Scott Bailey, of AAP, reports.