Rugby: Black Ferns eye up world No 2 England

New Zealand Black Ferns during the haka. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

The big guns of women's 15s rugby will fire some shots in Rotorua tomorrow.

New Zealand's Black Ferns, the world's No 1 team, will face the Women's Rugby World Cup holders and No 2 ranked side England in the curtainraiser to the Maori v Lions clash.

Things will get physical, which is possibly why Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore is starting with North Harbour's Chelsea Alley at second five, and returning loose forwards Linda Itunu and Rawinia Everitt to the starting line-up after injury. Kelly Brazier will need to exert more control from pivot.

The Black Ferns have been a mixture in their two tests in the last week. They were effervescent in attack at times in the 28-16 win over Canada in Wellington, but were pressured in the scrums. Brilliant in the first half against Australia in Christchurch, the weather and a more committed Wallaroos upset their second half rhythm, but they took the result 44-17. Now they want a more clinical allround display in their final official hitout before August's World Cup.

England have blown away Australia 53-10 and edged Canada 27-20 on Tuesday.

Moore says he is expecting a torrid, physical clash as both teams wanted to finish the series unbeaten.

"We're looking forward to Saturday. The English are a good side - they are world champions and have won their last two matches here in New Zealand. They had to fight pretty hard against the Canadians but we know they will bring physicality and they have some pace out on the edges. We will need to put in our best performance.

"For us it's about improving week on week and we made a good step forward in our second game and I expect we will advance again on Saturday."

Alley's return to the starting XV follows an injury in the May trial which restricted her earlier in the camp.

"We wanted to try some different combinations as we look ahead to August's World Cup and it's important we do that now," Moore says.

The Black Ferns' match kicks off at 4.15pm at Rotorua International Stadium.

Moore says the predicted large and vocal crowd would elevate the match for his team and their fans.

"We're expecting a big crowd to come early and support both teams and it will be a fantastic night of rugby and a very special one for all four teams."

The Australian Wallaroos will face Canada at Smallbone Park in Rotorua from 12.30pm tomorrow.

Black Ferns: Selica Winiata, Portia Woodman, Stacey Waaka, Chelsea Alley, Renee Wickliffe, Kelly Brazier, Kendra Cocksedge, Linda Itunu, Sarah Goss, Rawinia Everitt, Charmaine Smith, Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Fiao'o Fa'amausili (c), Toka Natua
Reserves: Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Sosoli Talawadua, Aleisha Nelson, Becky Wood, Charmaine McMenamin, Kristina Sue, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Honey Hireme