Three new players have been named in the Black Ferns squad for next month's IRB women's rugby World Cup in Edmonton, Canada.
Black Ferns Coach Jed Rowlands has named 23-year-old Auckland utility back Victoria Blackledge, 32-year-old Auckland loose forward Rachel Makata and 24-year-old Otago hooker Beth Mallard in a squad
that has a mix of former World Cup campaigners and tournament debutants.
The squad will be captained by Farah Palmer.
Rowlands said all three newcomers brought versatility to the team.
"They were impressive at the trial camps we had this year. Rachel can cover loose forward and lock and Beth can cover hooker and prop while Victoria can play on the wing and at fullback," Rowlands said.
The Black Ferns are in Pool A along with Spain and Kazakhstan but the cross-pool format of the competition means that the New Zealanders will play pool matches against Pool D opponents Canada, Scotland and Samoa.
"All three countries we face first up have strong squads and we are under no illusions about the task ahead," Rowlands said.
The women's rugby World Cup squad assembles in Palmerston North before departing for Canada on Saturday 26 August.
Black Ferns squad:
Victoria Blackledge (Auckland), Monalisa Codling (Auckland), Exia Edwards (Bay of Plenty), Fiao'o Fa'amausili (Auckland), Victoria Heighway (Auckland), Rebecca Hull (Hawke's Bay), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Emma Jensen (Auckland), Rachel Makata (Auckland), Beth Mallard (Otago), Diane Maliukaetau (Auckland), Rochelle Martin (Auckland), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Amiria Marsh (Canterbury), Stephanie Mortimer (Canterbury), Hannah Myers (Auckland), Mel Ngatai (Hawke's Bay), Farah Palmer (Manawatu, captain), Anna Richards (Auckland), Claire Richardson (Otago), Casey Robertson (Canterbury), Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury), Kimberley Smith (Canterbury), Waimania Teddy (Auckland), Amy Williams (Hawke's Bay), Shannon Willoughby (Otago).
