Rugby: Woodman selected for Black Ferns

Kaikohe's Portia Woodman has been selected for the Black Ferns to take on Australia in a two-test series. Photo/Photosport.nz

Kaikohe's Portia Woodman will have a chance to get a modicum of revenge on Australia as part of the Black Ferns squad.

The 25-year-old winger has been named in the 28-strong squad for a two-test series against the Australian Wallaroos in preparation for next year's Women's Rugby World Cup.

Last time Woodman faced Australia, it ended in heartbreak.

Australia took the gold medal in the women's sevens at the Rio Olympics with a 24-17 win. Woodman scored a try in that clash.

Black Ferns head coach Glenn Moore said he and his coaching team were confident they had selected a skilled squad which was strong across the board.

"We have a great forward pack and very talented backs. We don't know much about the Wallaroos but the Laurie O'Reilly Cup is on the line and like all Australian teams they will be determined to perform strongly against New Zealand."

The first match against the Australian side is a double header with the All Blacks Bledisloe match at Eden Park next Saturday. The Black Ferns will play the Australian Wallaroos again at QBE Stadium on the North Shore on Wednesday, October 26.

Olympic Games silver medallists Kelly Brazier, Sarah Goss and Woodman were included in the squad with Black Ferns Sevens players Honey Hireme, Hazel Tubic, Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata and Carla Hohepa (returning from injury).

The Black Ferns Sevens players were eligible for selection after playing in the Farah Palmer Cup.

"To be selected you've got to be the best player in those positions. That won't change," Moore said.

"The standard of the Farah Palmer Cup has been outstanding so we've been spoilt for choice."

Moore said the focus leading into 2017 was on building the depth of the squad.

"Come next year we want to make sure players are putting a lot of pressure on each other for positions. We've selected a squad that has a lot of experience in it but there's also a young look to the side and some players have a low number of caps.

The squad also includes debutants Aotearoa Matua, a 19-year-old prop from Counties Manukau; Kristina Sue, a Manawatu halfback; and Sharnita Woodman, a loose forward from Counties Manukau.

"Everything's being done with a look to the World Cup next year and it's a huge motivator for the team. We're really looking forward to playing in front of our friends and family at home before we head offshore."

Black Ferns Squad: Forwards - Eloise Blackwell, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Charlene Gubb, Aldora Itunu, Charmaine McMenamin, Aleisha Nelson (Auckland), Rawinia Everitt, Aotearoa Matau, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Aroha Savage, Sharnita Woodman (Counties Manukau), Sarah Goss (Manawatu), Pip Love (Canterbury), Toka Natua (Waikato), Angie Sisifa (Otago), Charmaine Smith (North Harbour).
Backs - Chelsea Alley (North Harbour), Kelly Brazier (Otago), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Honey Hireme, Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Hazel Tubic, Renee Wickliffe, Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau), Kristina Sue, Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata (Manawatu).