Ferns swap in only change

The cases feature a range of sports, but it is understood that rugby players make up a...
Photo: ODT files
Head coach Whitney Hansen has made just the one change to her Matatū side after their opening Super Rugby Aupiki win.

Black Fern prop Pip Love moves to the bench to make way for fellow Black Fern Marcelle Parkes in the starting lineup at loosehead.

Otherwise, Hansen has stuck with the same 23 from the Matatū squad that came from behind to beat Chiefs Manawa 31-25 in Hamilton last Saturday.

First five Hannah King was sublime in her first hit-out in Matatū colours and will want to rise to the challenge against her old team the Hurricanes Poua in Christchurch tomorrow.

Hard-hitting centre Amy du Plessis was also at her very best last week, off-loading the ball to put her backline into space and breaking the line to score twice herself.

No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker was on limited minutes last week in her return from injury, Otago halfback Maia Joseph was lively and Kaea Nepia looked handy on debut at fullback.

Now they just need to blend that all together.

The Poua will be licking their wounds after they lost 50-10 to the defending champions the Blues.

Prop Forne Burkin returns from injury and is supported by Ngano Tavake and former Black Fern Angel Mulu.

No 8 Layla Sae is always dangerous with ball in hand, as is winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Isabella Waterman, solid at fullback.

Super Rugby Aupiki

Christchurch, tomorrow, 12.35pm

Matatū: Kaea Nepia, Winnie Palamo, Amy du Plessis, Grace Brooker, Fia Laikong, Hannah King, Maia Joseph, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Lucy Jenkins, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Laura Bayfield, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Marcelle Parkes. Reserves: Jett Hayward, Pip Love, Moomooga Palu, Emma Dermody, Fiaali’i Solomona, Kelsyn McCook, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Keighley Simpson.

Hurricanes Poua: Isabella Waterman, Teilah Ferguson, Leilani Hakiwai, Monica Tagoai, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Cassia Siataga, Iritana Hohaia, Layla Sae, Elinor Plum-King, Kahurangi Sturmey, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Sam Taylor, Angel Mulu, Forne Burkin, Ngano Tavake. Reserves: Denise Aiolupotea, Nina Poletti, Jayme Nuku, Olioli Mua, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Paige Lush, Te Rauoriwa Gapper, Harmony Kautai.

OUTSTREAM