Black Ferns named for Japan sevens

IN FORM: Bay of Plenty's Kelly Brazier is a key player for the Black Ferns. Photo: File

The Black Ferns Sevens team to play the fourth leg of the 2016/17 HSBC Women's World Sevens Series in Kitakyushu starting on Saturday has been named.

This is the first time a women's world sevens series tournament has been held in Japan and helps serve as preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where rugby sevens will feature.

The 12-strong side features three changes from the team that won last month's Las Vegas tournament, with Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga called into the starting line-up, while 17-year-old Lyric Faleafaga joins the squad for the first time as a travelling reserve with Tenika Willison.

Black Ferns Sevens head coach Allan Bunting, from Rotorua, said keeping the core of the series-leading squad together was important while also creating opportunities for up-and-coming talent.

"We're still focused on consistency and continuity, so we've kept most of the squad from Las Vegas. We've brought in a couple of new players and Rebekah comes back after missing out the last couple of tournaments.

"Rebekah's had a couple of work-ons this series and she's worked really hard at her game and is making good progress so has been rewarded with selection."

Seventeen-year-old St Mary's College Wellington final year student Lyric Faleafaga joins the team for the first time and will experience the international tournament environment in the travelling reserve role.

"This is about Lyric's development plan; she's young, has special talent and at 1.8 metres tall has real height. We're really excited about her future so it's all about giving her experiencing in the international tournament environment and personal growth for her."

Black Ferns team:
Sarah Goss (captain), Manawatu
Michaela Blyde, Bay of Plenty
Kelly Brazier, Bay of Plenty
Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga, Manawatu
Theresa Fitzpatrick, Auckland
Tyla Nathan-Won, Auckland
Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Waikato
Alena Saili, Southland
Ruby Tui, Canterbury
Kat Whata-Simpkins, Wellington
Niall Williams, Auckland
Portia Woodman, Counties Manukau
Travelling reserves:
Lyric Faleafaga, Wellington
Tenika Willison, Waikato