Bay of Plenty's Kendra Reynolds is set to make her Black Ferns debut. Photo / Photosport
Bay of Plenty's Kendra Reynolds is set to make her Black Ferns debut. Photo / Photosport
Four Bay of Plenty women, two of them new faces, have been named in the 2020 Black Ferns squad.
Kendra Reynolds and Kelsie Wills are two of the nine new Black Ferns caps and will join fellow Bay of Plenty Volcanix players Luka Connor and Pia Tapsell in the squadannounced by NZ Rugby today.
Black Ferns head coach Glenn Moore said the Black Ferns squad was selected with the type of rugby they wanted to play at Rugby World Cup 2021 in mind.
"We are now less than a year away from Rugby World Cup and we have a clear goal," he said.
Bay of Plenty's Kelsie Wills is one of nine new Black Ferns caps. Photo / File
"Throughout the Farah Palmer Cup, we've been looking for athletes who fit the type of rugby we want to play and we knew there would be a lot of new faces in the Black Ferns this year. It's exciting to see the talent coming through."
Moore said the Possibles v Probables trial match on Saturday had made the selectors' job tough.
"A number of very good players missed out today but they still have the opportunity to impress the coaches over the next two weeks. The New Zealand Barbarians is full of quality players as well.
Luka Connor has retained her place in the Black Ferns squad. Photo / File
"Over the next couple of days, we will focus on bringing the Black Ferns together, ensure we are aligned, and reposition how they play.
This match is part of a women's rugby triple-header matchday which includes NZ Defence Force v NZ Police (11.35am), and an RWC 2021 qualification match between Samoa v Tonga (2.05pm).
Saturday, November 21 Black Ferns v New Zealand Barbarians presented by Downer Trafalgar Park, Nelson Kickoff: 4.35pm
